Insufficient Representation of Women in India’s Workforce

GS Paper 1  Syllabus: Role of women   Source: BBC  Context: India surpassed China as the world’s most populous country, which led analysts to highlight the potential benefits of India’s demographic dividend. A major obstacle to realising this potential: Insufficient representation of women in India’s workforce. Significance of more women in the workforce: India could …

Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore

GS Paper 1   Syllabus: Modern Indian History from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues   Source: PIB  Context: The 162nd birth anniversary of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore was celebrated across the globe on May 7.   Insta Links: Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore   Prelims Links: (UPSC 2021)

Cyclones: How are cyclones formed and named?

GS Paper 1 Syllabus: Important Geophysical Phenomena such as cyclones etc.   Source: IE   Context: According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), a cyclonic/low-pressure area is developing in the Bay of Bengal and may intensify into a cyclonic storm.   What this weather system be called? Cyclone Mocha (pronounced ‘Mokha’) –  a name suggested …

El Niño likely to bring extreme weather across the world

GS Paper 1  Syllabus: Important Geophysical Phenomena   Source: HT  Context: According to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), the world should prepare for the development of El Niño, which is often associated with increased heat, drought or rainfall in different parts of the world.   Background: La Niña has now ended after persisting for three …

Smart Cities Mission

GS Paper 1 Syllabus: Developmental issues, Urbanization, their problems and their remedies   Source: IE  Context: The Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry (MoHUA) has extended the deadline for the Smart Cities Mission from June 2023 to June 2024.   What is the Smart Cities Mission? It is an initiative of the MoHUA launched as …

World Development Report 2023: Migrants, Refugees, and Societies

GS Paper 1  Syllabus: Population and associated issues   Source: DTE  Context: The ‘World Development Report 2023: Migrants, Refugees, and Societies’ was recently released by the World Bank.   The World Development Report (WDR): It is an annual report published since 1978 by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) or World Bank. It …

Population: Boon or Bane

GS Paper 1  Syllabus: Population related issues   Source: TH  Context: According to the UNFPA State of World Population (SOWP) Report 2023, China is projected to hand over the baton of the most populous country to India by mid-2023.   Highlights of the UN report: India will have a population of 142.86 crores by mid-2023, …

Critical minerals: Resilient supply chains

GS Paper 1  Syllabus: Distribution of Key Natural Resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent)   Source: IE  Context: A recent working paper evaluated the criticality levels of 43 select minerals for India.   Background: Critical minerals refer to mineral resources, both primary and processed, that are Economically important/demand-side factors (to …

UN population report: India becomes world’s most populous nation

GS Paper 1  Syllabus: Population and Associated Issues   Source: IE  Context: According to the United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA) State of World Population (SOWP) report 2023 – ‘8 Billion Lives, Infinite Possibilities’ – India is now the most populous country in the world.   Highlights of the report:   India specific findings India now …

Heat stroke

GS Paper 1  Syllabus: Important geophysical phenomenon/Disaster management   Source: IE  Context: 13 people died due to heatstroke after they attended a large public gathering in the open in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai.     Why did a heat stroke event happen in Maharashtra? Two different observatories recorded 34.1 and 38 degrees Celsius as the maximum …

The link between ‘flash droughts’ and climate change

GS Paper 1  Syllabus: Important Geophysical Phenomena   Source: IE    Context: According to a new study, flash droughts are becoming more common and faster to develop around the world, and human-caused climate change is a major reason.     Highlights of the study: Flash droughts occurred more often than slower ones in tropical/humid places …

Dr B R Ambedkar

GS Paper 1  Syllabus: The Freedom Struggle — its various stages and important contributors/contributions from different parts of the country   Source: PIB, IE, IE His Contributions:       Differences in the view of Ambedkar and Gandhiji:   Despite their differences, both Ambedkar and Gandhi were important leaders in the fight for Indian independence …

El Nino and Monsoon

GS Paper 1  Syllabus: Important Geophysical Phenomena   Source: HT  Context: According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), there is nearly a 70% probability of an El Nino developing this monsoon. Understanding La Nina and El Nino:   Summary of the 2023 Southwest Monsoon Season Rainfall: According to the IMD, the country as a whole …

Without action plans, India’s poorest will continue to bear brunt of heatwaves: study

GS Paper 1  Syllabus: Important Geophysical Phenomena   Source: TH  Context: A new report by the think-tank Centre for Policy Research on “How is India Adapting to Heatwaves?” indicates that the country is ill-prepared to face the heat.   Background: Landmark heatwaves (1998, 2002, 2010, 2015, 2022) have led to large death tolls and extensive …

Antiquities abroad: What Indian, international laws say

GS Paper 1 Syllabus: Indian culture – salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times   Source: IE Context: According to an RTI, only 486 antiquities have been reported as missing (since Independence) from the 3,696 monuments protected and maintained by the ASI.   What is antiquity? India’s Antiquities and …

Different faces of the Indian women’s movement

GS Paper 1 Syllabus: Role of Women and Women’s Organisation, Social Empowerment   Source: TH Context: The Indian women’s movement is well-known for its vibrancy, but there has been less attention on the movement’s gradual transformation.   A timeline of the Evolution of the Indian women’s movement: Nationalist/political movements: Examples: All India Women’s Conference (1927) …