Category: Test 1

India maternity laws need serious tweaking Article A study of Maternity benefit act by Teamlease Services highlighted that poor legislation remains the main reason behind India’s persistently low female labour force participation rate. Important Analysis When the provisions of the amendment to the Maternity Benefit Act came into force effective 1 April 2017, it was… Continue reading India maternity laws need serious tweaking

Govt, RBI in talks to allow use of QR code-based ‘offline Aadhaar News: Government and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) are in talks to allow use of ‘offline Aadhaar’ that relies on QR codes, instead of the biometric eKYC, for opening bank accounts, operating payment wallets and purchasing insurance covers. Facts: The step is… Continue reading Govt, RBI in talks to allow use of QR code-based ‘offline Aadhaar

Wage drag News International Labour Organisations has recently released Global Wage Report for 2018/19 Important facts Key finding of the report Global wage growth, adjusted for inflation, slowed to 1.8% in 2017, from 2.4% in 2016. this is the lowest rate since 2008. In the advanced G20 countries the pace eased to 0.4%, with the… Continue reading Wage drag

Army not ready for women in combat roles’ News Army Chief General Bipin Rawat expressed his views about the role of women in armed forces. Important Facts Army Chief said that armed force would take in increasing numbers of woman officers in the coming years but it wasn’t ready yet to cast them in combat… Continue reading Army not ready for women in combat roles’

Neighbourhood first? Article Suhasini Haider, an International relations expert talked about recent changes in Neighbourhood policy of Modi government. Important Analysis Author observes that there is gradual shift in the government’s neighbourhood policy of 2018, that resounds closer to the “neighbourhood first” articulation of 2014. The government has changed its role from playing big brother… Continue reading Neighbourhood first?

Bihar, Punjab take DGP issue to SC News The Supreme Court agreed to hear the pleas of Bihar and Punjab seeking modification of an earlier order directing the States to mandatorily take assistance of the Union Public Service Commission in shortlisting names for appointing Director General of Police (DGP). Important Facts Earlier Supreme Court ordered… Continue reading Bihar, Punjab take DGP issue to SC

RBI moves to ease liquidity for non-banking finance firms News The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) eased the minimum holding period (MHP) norm for the NBFC sector companies to sell or securitise their loans in order to ease the liquidity crunch. Important facts The NBFC sector is facing liquidity shortage after Infrastructure Leasing & Finance… Continue reading RBI moves to ease liquidity for non-banking finance firms

China halts gene-editing activities on babies News: China’s government has ordered a halt to work by a medical team that claimed to have helped make the world’s first gene-edited babies. Important Facts: Chinese scientist, He Jiankui, caused outrage earlier this week when he told a genome summit, he had altered the genes of twin baby… Continue reading China halts gene-editing activities on babies

ISRO puts ‘Sharp Eye’ into orbit News: ISRO’s workhorse rocket PSLV-C43 successfully launched India’s earth observation satellite HysIS and 30 co-passenger satellitesfrom Sriharikota. Important Facts: In its 13th flight of the Core-Alone version and 45th launch of the PSLV, ISRO carried one satellite each from Australia, Canada, Colombia, Finland, Malaysia, Netherlands and Spain, and 23… Continue reading ISRO puts ‘Sharp Eye’ into orbit

Walking the tightrope Article: Anita Inder Singh, centre for peace and conflict resolution, talks about economic and strategic importance of waiver on sanctions granted by US to India and seven other countries. Important Analysis Background US has granted waivers for Iran oil imports to eight countries namely India, China, Greece, Italy, Turkey, South Korea, Taiwan… Continue reading Walking the tightrope