Context Chinese tech giants are on course to spend 15 billion dollars, on AI projects this year alone, a rise of nearly 50% in just two years. Artificial Intelligence and China’s stance: China has been consistently building an ecosystem to fuel its ambition Read More
Context: The President of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe, paid an official visit to India and signed agreements on maritime, air, energy, trade and people-to-people initiatives. However, the Tamil fishermen issue still remained unaddressed between both the countries. India-Sri Lanka vision document: Focus Read More
Context Recently, the Union government has withdrawn the DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019, from the Lok Sabha. Background First proposed in 2003, the Bill has gone through numerous changes, led by both the Department of Biotechnology and the Law Ministry. In Read More
Context: The recent approval of the film “Oppenheimer” by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), which includes the recital of a spiritual verse during intimate scenes, has sparked controversy. About the CBFC: It is a statutory body under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Read More
Context: The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has initiated discussions on the potential imposition of countervailing duty (CVD) on stainless steel. What is Countervailing Duty? Countervailing duty (CVD): These are tariffs levied on imported goods to offset subsidies made to producers of these goods in the Read More
Context: Recently, Rajasthan Platform Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Bill, 2023 was passed by Rajasthan Assembly. Probable Question: Q. What are the challenges that the Gig Economy faces in India, and what steps can be taken to ensure its sustainable growth? About Gig Economy: A Read More
Context The Government of India has appointed a panel under the chairmanship of Pronab Sen, former Chief Statistician of India, to review the methodology of the National Statistical Organisation (NSO). About Need for review: The usage of outdated survey methodology by national surveys such as the Read More
Context Recently, the Centre has accepted the recommendation of the Central Board of Trustees (CBT) of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) to increase the interest rate of deposits in Provident Fund (PF) to 8.15%. About the information: The new rate will be applicable for financial year Read More
Context: The Batagaika crater, the world’s largest permafrost crater, is expanding at an alarming rate due to the thawing of the permafrost, a phenomenon catalysed by global warming. About Batagaika crater: Location: The crater is located in the Sakha Republic. Sakha is the largest republic Read More
Context “Ludwigia peruviana”, an aquatic weed native to countries like Central and South America, is threatening elephant habitats in Valparai, Tamil Nadu which is further reviving the risk of human-elephant conflicts in the region. About the species: Ludwigia peruviana is an aquatic, sometimes deciduous species of flowering plant in the Read More