Context The Batagaika crater situated in Russia, is the world’s largest one kilometre-long permafrost crater, is expanding at a baffling rate due to the thawing of the permafrost. This has been exacerbated by global warming. What is Permafrost? Permafrost is any ground that remains completely Read More …
Month: July 2023
Madhav Gadgil Report on Conserving the Western Ghats
Context: A landslide in Maharashtra’s Raigad district has once again brought attention to the Dr. Madhav Gadgil report on conserving the Western Ghats. About Gadgil Commission: In 2010, the Ministry of Environment appointed the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), to be chaired by ecologist Dr Read More …
Biological Diversity Amendment Bill 2021
Context: Recently, Lok Sabha passed the Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill 2021 to amend the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. PYQ: Q. How is the Government of India protecting traditional knowledge of medicine from patenting by pharmaceutical companies? (2019) About Biological Diversity Act, 2002: Read More …
China’s goal to become Global power in AI
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 Read More …
Still Incomplete
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 Read More …
The DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019
Context Recently, the Union government has withdrawn the DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019, from the Lok Sabha.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 Read More …
Union Information & Broadcasting Minister upset with the CBFC over nod to the Hollywood film Oppenheimer
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 Read More …
Imposition of Countervailing Duty (CVD) on Stainless Steel Imports
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 Read More …
Gig Economy in India
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 Read More …
New Panel to review ‘Survey methodology’
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 Read More …