Arunachal Pradesh – Assam border dispute:

GS Paper 3: Topics Covered: Internal security related issues.   Context: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma have decided to form district-level committees for settling their inter-state boundary disputes. Recently, the Union government gave the seal of approval to an agreement to partially resolve the disputed sectors on …

Invasive species threatens wildlife habitats of Western Ghats:

GS Paper 3: Topics Covered: Conservation related issues.   Context: Senna spectabilis is an invasive species found mostly in the forest areas of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR). The dearth of effective steps to arrest the rampant growth of these invasive plants is a matter of serious concern to the conservation of wildlife habitats of …

Panchayati Raj Ministry, UNDP sign pact on Sustainable Development Goals:

GS Paper 3: Topics Covered: Inclusive growth and issues arising out of it. Context: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have signed a joint statement of understanding on localisation of Sustainable Development Goals.   Need for understanding on localisation of SDGs: Panchayati Raj institutions (PRIs) have been a critical …

Falklands Dispute:

GS Paper 2: Topics Covered: India and neighbourhood relations. Context:  “The Commission for Dialogue” with the United Kingdom on the Falkland Islands was recently inaugurated by India and Argentina. The commission seeks to settle the territorial dispute over the Islas Malvinas that are known as the Falkland Islands in the UK.   What’s the issue? …

Anti-defection law:

GS Paper 2: Topics Covered: Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.   Context: Vice President Venkaiah Naidu recently said it is time for amending the anti-defection law to plug the loopholes.   Challenges: Despite a law in place, defection of legislators from one party to another is taking place …