News: Recently, the standing committee on external affairs presented its report on India and Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs). It is important as it comes a decade after India lost the first investment treaty claim in 2011 (White industries vs India). Note: In November 2011, an arbitral tribunal found the Republic of India guilty of violating… Continue reading Bilateral Investment Treaties: A BIT to review
Tag: the hindu
National Database of birth and death: Amendments that are unnecessary
News: Government recently proposed creating a national database of registration system comprising births and deaths. This is proposed to be used to update every birth and death, and linked with other databases like the national population register, voter list and the Aadhaar database. What is the current mechanism? The current system is covered by the… Continue reading National Database of birth and death: Amendments that are unnecessary
Synapses: NCBS: Zebrafish study reveals how the brain makes its connections
What is the News? Researchers at the National Centre of Biological Sciences, Bengaluru, have studied Zebrafish to understand how Synapses are formed. What are Synapses? Neurons, or nerve cells in the brain, connect by means of junctions known as synapses through which they also transmit signals. Types of Synapses Chemical Synapses: In this, there is… Continue reading Synapses: NCBS: Zebrafish study reveals how the brain makes its connections
The baton of forest restoration in the net zero race
News: For carbon sequestration, India must revisit its policy framework and reverse the decreasing participation of local communities. After India’s pledge to set a net-zero target by 2070, at the COP26 summit, Glasgow, saving forests has become much more important. In a study by Griscom (2017), natural climate solutions that also include forests can provide… Continue reading The baton of forest restoration in the net zero race
Discretionary powers of the governor: Some Raj Bhavans are on the war path
News: There have been some incidents that show the friction between the delicate relationships of the constitutional head of state and the elected government. What were the incidents all about? Maharashtra: Governor refused to accept the date of election of the Speaker recommended by the State government. However, this refusal goes against the principle of constitutional… Continue reading Discretionary powers of the governor: Some Raj Bhavans are on the war path
Unchanged: On EWS quota income norm
News: Supreme Court has allowed the commencement of counselling for postgraduate medical admissions under All India Quota scheme. What is the background of the development? Read here: Income Criteria for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in India – Explained, pointwise What is the decision made by the Supreme Court? The court has upheld the 27% quota… Continue reading Unchanged: On EWS quota income norm
Control rather than Privacy
News: The Puttaswamy judgment and the Justice B.N. Srikrishna committee report led to the introduction of the Personal Data Protection Bill of 2019. The bill was sent to a joint parliamentary committee for further scrutiny, which has now submitted its report. Although there are some concerns regarding the same. What are the concerns regarding… Continue reading Control rather than Privacy
NEET counselling can begin under existing EWS criteria: Supreme Court
What is the News? The Supreme Court has allowed the commencement of the counselling process for NEET-PG and NEET-UG for 2021-22 admissions on the basis of the existing 27% quota for Other Backward Classes (OBC) and 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) in the All India Quota(AIQ). What was the issue? A petition was… Continue reading NEET counselling can begin under existing EWS criteria: Supreme Court
Instability in Kazakhstan will resonate in regional geopolitics
News: Violent unrest has been taken in Kazakhstan after the increase in fuel prices. Contents1 What are the reasons for the crisis in Kazakhstan?2 What are the consequences of the protest?3 Importance of Kazakhstan4 How is the Kazakhstan government handling the crisis? What are the reasons for the crisis in Kazakhstan? 1) Rise in LPG prices… Continue reading Instability in Kazakhstan will resonate in regional geopolitics
Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT): HAL jet trainer demonstrates its prowess
What is the News? The Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT) has successfully demonstrated the ability to perform six turn spins on both the left hand and right-hand sides. Note: The capability to enter and recover from spin is important for a trainer aircraft, to enable the trainee pilot to recognise departure from controlled flight and the… Continue reading Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT): HAL jet trainer demonstrates its prowess
