Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently authorized non-bank companies to establish, own, and operate White Label ATMs (WLAs) in India. This measure improves ATM accessibility in Tier III to VI centers. What are White Label ATMs (WLAs)? They are the machines established, owned, Read More
Context: Due to the large number of available written-off loans with lenders and the government’s efforts to recover these loans, ARCs are utilizing the chance to purchase these loans. About Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs): Definition: It is a Specialized financial institution dealing with Non-Performing Assets Read More
Context According to a paper published in Israel in 2022, records from the Tel Tsaf site shows cotton fibers originated in the Indian subcontinent around 5200 BCE. However, in a recent update to the findings, mentioned that Cotton was used in India before the other countries even do Read More
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 frozen — 32°F (0°C) Read More
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 Madhav Gadgil. Read More
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: It was Read More
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