GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation Source: DTE Context: Microplastic pollution – a significant environmental problem, has not attracted much attention in India. Microplastics: These are tiny plastic particles (less than 5 mm long) that result from both commercial product development (microbeads in personal care products, synthetic fibres from clothing, …
GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate Source: HT Context: The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence has backed the Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Bill 2023. About the Bill: It was introduced in the Lok Sabha (March 2023) and was referred to the Standing Committee on Defence …
GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Environment, Conservation Source: DTE Context: The Forest Conservation (Amendment) Bill 2023 is expected to be tabled for clearance during the monsoon parliament session that began on July 20, 2023. The Forest (Conservation) Act 1980: It was enacted to ensure that India’s forest land is not willingly usurped for non-forestry …
Continue reading “The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill 2023”
GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Effects of Liberalisation on the Economy, Changes in Industrial Policy and Their Effects on Industrial Growth Source: TH Context: The biggest of India’s big businesses seem to be thriving. Data regarding India’s big businesses: According to a former RBI Deputy Governor’s report, The share of assets in the non-financial sectors …
GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Environmental Pollution Source: DTE Context: According to a CSE analysis, air pollution impacts villages and cities almost equally but pollution control measures target only urban India. Findings of the analysis: Particulate matter (PM) 5 is an extremely potent air pollutant that can penetrate deep into the lungs and trigger …
Continue reading “Issues with the air pollution control measures in India”
GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Issues related to the Indian economy Source: IE Context: The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, in its 50th meeting, decided to levy a uniform 28% tax on full face value for online gaming, casinos and horse racing. Decision to levy 28% uniform tax on online gaming: Earlier, …
Continue reading “Tax on online gaming: What the GST Council’s decision says, its implications”
GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Environment/ Science and Technology – Developments and their Applications and Effects in Everyday Life Source: IE Context: The government of India is solely promoting battery electric vehicles (BEVs), regardless of the problems associated with them. Types of EVs: Initiatives for Promoting EVs in India: National Electric Mobility Mission …
Continue reading “The problem with battery electric vehicles”
GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation Source: TH Context: While CO2 emissions are the problem, a circular economy could be the solution, at least a partial one. Why are CO2 emissions the problem? As we continue to burn fossil fuels and destroy natural habitats, CO2 continues to accumulate in the …
Continue reading “Carbon circular economy: Promise and challenges”
GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Issues relating to Intellectual Property Rights Source: IE Context: The Delhi HC upheld an order by the Plant Variety Protection and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA), revoking the intellectual property protection granted to PepsiCo India with respect to a potato variety developed by it. What is the case about? It pertains …
Continue reading “Intellectual property protection in agriculture”
GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Economy Source: IE Context: According to the RBI, with India remaining one of the fastest-growing countries and showing remarkable resilience in the face of major headwinds, the rupee has the potential to become an internationalised currency. What does internationalisation of the rupee mean? Internationalisation is a process that involves …
Continue reading “Internationalisation of rupee: Why and what are the benefits?”
GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Environment and Conservation/ Science and Technology- Developments and their Applications and Effects in Everyday Life. Source: DTE Context: The US is eyeing a controversial tool to counter global warming: Solar geoengineering. What is Solar geoengineering? Solar geoengineering, also referred to as solar radiation management (SRM) describes a set of …
Continue reading “Solar Geoengineering to counter global warming”
GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources Source: HT Context: With the implementation of a Goods and Services Tax (GST) on July 1 2017, India took a huge step towards modifying its indirect taxation system. About Goods and Services Tax (GST): It is an indirect tax (not …
GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Biotechnology Source: TH Context: India’s bioeconomy growth is not in sync with desired funding and policy support. Bioeconomy: It is the economic activity involving the use of biotechnology and biomass in the production of goods, services, or energy. India’s bioeconomy: According to the DBT’s ‘Bioeconomy Report 2022’ report, India’s bioeconomy …
GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation Source: TP Context: Following the Union Budget 2023-24 announcement, the MoEFCC notified the draft ‘Green Credit Programme (GCP)’ implementation rules 2023. About the Green Credit Programme (GCP): Under this, individuals, industries, FPOs, ULBs, gram panchayats and private sectors, etc., will be able to earn “green …
GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Agriculture and related issues Source: IE Context: Assured irrigation access has made the two states (Punjab and Haryana) the most reliable producers of rice and wheat, which will matter in a bad monsoon year. Importance of Punjab and Haryana: Both have been India’s breadbasket and lynchpins of its food …
Continue reading “Role of Punjab and Haryana in de-risking the Indian Economy”
GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Infrastructure (Energy) Source: PIB Context: The government has amended the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules 2020 to empower power consumers, ensure a 24X7 reliable electricity supply at affordable cost, etc. The Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules 2020: The Ministry of Power has promulgated the Rules under the Electricity Act, …
Continue reading “The Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules”
GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Environmental Pollution and Degradation Source: DTE Context: One of the most polluting sectors of India – coal-based thermal power generation – was found to be brazenly flouting emission norms. Emission norms in place: The MoEFCC made it mandatory (in 2015) for thermal power plants to install a flue gas …
Continue reading “Pollution due to coal-based thermal power generation in India”
GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Agriculture and related issues Source: DTE Context: According to a CSE report, market access is critical for the success of India’s momentum towards organic and natural farming, which are good for the farmer, nature and human health. About the CSE report: The report highlights how various stakeholders procure, process …
GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate Source: ET Context: India is moving ahead to establish theatre commands, aiming to build integrated war-fighting machinery in a cost-effective manner. What are Theatre Commands? A theatre command in the military refers to a specific geographical area where military operations are …
GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Infrastructure (Ports) Source: IE Context: The global recognition of the operational efficiencies of Indian ports is an important step in India’s endeavour to become a global maritime power as envisaged in the Maritime India Vision (MIV), 2030. Global recognition of the Indian maritime/shipping sector: In the WB’s Logistic Performance …
