IISc startup launches India’s first indigenous bio-sample collection kit

What is the news? Azooka Labs, a startup at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has launched mWRAPR. What is mWRAPR? It is India’s first indigenous bio-sample collection kit. It can be used as a biosample collection kit and storage medium for samples destined for genomic sequencing labs, biobanks and research ​​labs handling biological samples… Continue reading IISc startup launches India’s first indigenous bio-sample collection kit

In 60 years, climate change took seven years of agri-productivity growth

News: Recently, Ariel Ortiz-Bobea who is an economist discussed his research findings about climate change and its impact on agricultural productivity with Times Evoke. This article discusses the rich plant diversity in India, its significance and impact of climate change on Agri-productivity. What is the significance of plants in India? One, India has rich plant… Continue reading In 60 years, climate change took seven years of agri-productivity growth

Go cold on China: India right to diplomatically boycott Winter Games

News: India has recently joined leading democracies diplomatically and has decided to boycott the Beijing Winter Olympics. Why India’s decision is right? One, China has made PLA regiment commander involved in the 2020 Galwan clashes the torch bearer in the Olympic relay. Therefore, China has politicized the Games. Two, due to China’s human rights violations,… Continue reading Go cold on China: India right to diplomatically boycott Winter Games

Lok Adalats not courts, no precedent value of settlement decrees, says SC

What is the News? In a recent judgement, the Supreme Court has ruled that Lok Adalat are not courts and their settlement decrees cannot be cited as a precedent before a court of law. What was the issue? In 1984, Noida Authority had acquired the land by giving compensation for lower rate. All the landowners… Continue reading Lok Adalats not courts, no precedent value of settlement decrees, says SC

Regarding the budget: 4 Choices, No Free Lunch

News: The government has followed a capital expenditure strategy in the recent budget, but there are certain questions associated with the government’s strategy. Contents1 What is the dilemma the government is facing?2 How did the budget support growth while consolidating the deficit?3 The debate of income support versus capital expenditure tradeoff4 How does the budget… Continue reading Regarding the budget: 4 Choices, No Free Lunch

ISRO conducts breakthrough demonstration of hack-proof quantum communication

Contents1 What is the News?2 What is Quantum Communication?3 What is Quantum Entanglement?4 What is Quantum Superposition? What is the News? Scientists from Ahmedabad-based Space Applications Centre and Physical Research Laboratory have successfully demonstrated Quantum Entanglement.  Must read: [Yojana January Summary] India as a Space Power – Explained, pointwise What is Quantum Communication? Quantum communication… Continue reading ISRO conducts breakthrough demonstration of hack-proof quantum communication

Artificial intelligence technologies have a climate cost 

News: Recent budget has described AI as a sunrise technology that has the potential to assist sustainable development at scale and modernise the country.   While a large amount of focus is on achieving economic prosperity and global competitiveness with AI, there is hardly any acknowledgement of the environmental cost associated with it.  What is… Continue reading Artificial intelligence technologies have a climate cost 

Show Me the Money – On Fugitive Economic Offenders

News: Recently, Supreme Court suggested halting criminal proceedings against economic fugitives, who are  willing to repay the money they owe to lenders and others they defrauded. This article discusses that government should revisit its current stance on fugitive economic offenders. What is the case? The co-accused in the Sterling Biotech fraud case has claimed that… Continue reading Show Me the Money – On Fugitive Economic Offenders

Budget’s missed healthcare opportunity

News: Given the Covid pandemic it was expected that health would be the focus of the budget. But government’s focus is more on capital expenditure. Must read: Union Budget 2022-23: Highlights, tax proposals, concerns – Explained, pointwise  Contents1 Why government focus on health is important?2 Why less allocation is a challenge for the health sector?3… Continue reading Budget’s missed healthcare opportunity

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