Present Status: Passed in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Received the assent of the President on the 6th of August 2022. What is the News? Lok Sabha has introduced the Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022. The Bill aims to lay down a set of rules to regulate a range of activities on territories in Antarctica where… Continue reading The Indian Antarctic Bill and its various provisions
Tag: the hindu
Explained | Arctic sea ice peaked on February 25 this year. Why Is that important?
What is the News? Arctic sea ice has appeared to have hit its annual maximum extent on February 25, 2022, after growing through the fall and winter. According to National Snow and Ice Data Centre(NSIDC), this year’s Arctic sea ice wintertime extent is the 10th-lowest in the satellite record. Note: NSIDC is a United States… Continue reading Explained | Arctic sea ice peaked on February 25 this year. Why Is that important?
The partial rollback of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act
What is the News? The Ministry of Home Affairs has announced the reduction of “disturbed areas” under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in Assam, Manipur and Nagaland with effect from April 1,2022. This decision was based on the recommendations of a committee that was constituted to study the possibility of withdrawing the AFSPA from… Continue reading The partial rollback of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act
The India-Australia Trade Agreement
What is the News? India and Australia have signed an Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA). The landmark bilateral trade pact is the second trade agreement India has signed this year, after inking a similar deal with the United Arab Emirates. What are the main provisions of the India-Australia ECTA? Indian Agriculture: Under this, Australia… Continue reading The India-Australia Trade Agreement
Better early than late
News: Early intervention programme that prevents disabling conditions in newborn children, is better than one that tries to mitigate the effects once disability has set in. What is Autism Spectrum Disorder? Autism is a condition related to brain development that impacts how a person perceives others and socialises with them, causing problems in social interaction… Continue reading Better early than late
The road to Ukraine peace runs through Delhi
Context: Nearly 40 days ago, Russia launched a military invasion of Ukraine. Despite peace talks, direct negotiations between the conflicting parties have failed to make much progress. India can play an important role in its resolution. Mediation as a conflict resolution tool that can assist the parties in identifying their hidden ‘interests’. It is a… Continue reading The road to Ukraine peace runs through Delhi
Push the policy needle forward on migrant support
Context: After the migrant crisis of 2020, migrants became a focus of large scale relief efforts by governments and civil society. The Government ramped up the One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) project, announced the Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHC) scheme, set up the e-Shram portal and began to draft a migration policy. Present status… Continue reading Push the policy needle forward on migrant support
Time to bid goodbye to AFSPA
News: Recently, the Home Ministry has decided to considerably reduce the number of “disturbed areas” under the AFSPA in three States. To fulfil that, the April 1st order significantly reduced disturbed areas in Nagaland, Assam and Manipur. Though it is a welcome step, the government does not consider repealing the AFSPA. About AFSPA Read here:… Continue reading Time to bid goodbye to AFSPA
Making groundwater visible
News: The theme of this year’s World Water Day (March 22) was ‘Groundwater: Making the Invisible Visible’. Benefits of groundwater: Groundwater plays an important role in water and sanitation systems, agriculture, industry, ecosystems, and climate change adaptation, as it: Reduces the risk of temporary water shortages especially in arid and semiarid regions. Has high storage… Continue reading Making groundwater visible
A far reaching verdict that ends a regressive exception
News: In the case of Hrishikesh Sahoo v. State of Karnataka, the Karnataka High Court pronounced the end of marital rape exception in Section 375 (Rape) of Indian Penal Code. In the case, a husband approached the High Court seeking to quash the criminal proceedings against him. The charges framed were under Section 376 (rape),… Continue reading A far reaching verdict that ends a regressive exception
