GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Indian Economy and related issues/ Issues related to Direct and Indirect Farm Subsidies Source: DTE Context: A new World Bank report highlights the negative consequences of inefficiently subsidising agriculture, fishing and fossil fuel sectors. Highlights of the report: Subsidies in the 3 areas (generally considered to bail out economies …
GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Awareness in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, Robotics, Nano-technology, Bio-technology and issues relating to Intellectual Property Rights Source: TH Context: The 2023 annual G7 Summit, hosted by Japan (Hiroshima), initiated the Hiroshima AI Process (HAP) – an effort to determine a way forward to regulate artificial intelligence (AI). …
GS Paper 2/ 3 Syllabus: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and affecting India’s interests/ Agriculture and related issues Source: IE Context: A brief history of the US role in independent India’s agricultural development is useful in the context of the Indian PM’s upcoming visit to the US, for strengthening the …
GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Issues related to Minimum Support Prices Source: IE Context: India’s Union government announced the minimum support prices (MSPs) for 17 crops in this year’s Kharif season and CACP (Commission for Agriculture Cost and Prices) released Report on Price Policy for Kharif Crop 2023-24 Key Policy Recommendations: Promote Production and …
Continue reading “CACP Report on Price Policy for Kharif Crop 2023-24”
GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation Source: DTE Context: As climate change can reduce agricultural income by 15-25%, it is high time that climate-resilient agriculture (CRA) is valued and implemented more rigorously. CRA: Resilience is the capacity of a system to dynamically respond to, recover from and even thrive in …
GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Infrastructure (Energy)/Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation Source: TH Context: Given the significant impact that cities have on the environment, low-carbon cities are crucial to mitigate the effects of climate change. How are cities impacting climate? In 2020, cities across the world dumped 29 trillion tonnes of CO2 into the …
Continue reading “A just energy transition for a low-carbon future”
GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Agricultural Produce and Issues and Related Constraints Source: IE Context: As compared to edible oil, India has relatively achieved atma nirbharta (self-reliance) in pulses. Edible oil production in India: Import of edible oil by India: The quantum of imports has surged from ~8 mt to 16 mt between 2013-14 …
Continue reading “Pulses and Edible oil production in India”
GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Challenges to Internal Security, Basics of Cyber Security Source: DSCI Context: The DSCI released a study called ‘Bridging the Gap: Identifying Challenges in Cybersecurity Skilling and Bridging the Divide.’ Data Security Council of India (DSCI): It is a not-for-profit, industry body on data protection setup by NASSCOM in 2008. …
GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Infrastructure (Energy), Environment, Indigenisation of Technology and Developing New Technology Source: IRENA Context: The IRENA released the ‘Low-cost finance for the energy transition’ report. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA): It is an intergovernmental organization (an official UN observer, founded in 2009, HQ – Masdar City, Abu Dhabi) …
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GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation Source: TH Context: Since groundwater consumption and the variability of monsoon rainfall are the two main factors influencing groundwater storage, climate change might pose new challenges for groundwater sustainability in India. Groundwater: Groundwater is the water that seeps through rocks and soil and …
GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation Source: TH Context: Despite the importance of biodiversity that ultimately sustains all human endeavours, not enough has been done for caring and nurturing life on earth. Biodiversity/Biological diversity: Meaning: The rich variety of life forms and their interconnections with each other and the environment is …
GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Infrastructure (Railways) Source: TH Context: The tragic Odisha train accident that resulted in the death of over 288 passengers has brought into sharp focus the safety mechanisms needed to prevent such tragedies. Why do train accidents happen in India? The Performance Audit on Derailment in Indian Railways – a …
GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Changes in Industrial Policy and Their Effects on Industrial Growth Source: IE Context: India’s ambition of manufacturing semiconductor chips appears to be taking longer to materialize. Why? Three entities (Vedanta-Foxconn, international consortium ISMC and Singapore-based IGSS Ventures) that had applied to build the chips are facing hurdles in setting …
GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Infrastructure (Energy) Source: PIB Context: The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has notified the National Electricity Plan (NEP) for the period of 2022-32. The NEP: The CEA (Ministry of Power, GoI) must create a NEP in line with the National Electricity Policy, according to the Electricity Act 2003, to – …
GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Effects of Liberalisation on the Economy, Changes in Industrial Policy and Their Effects on Industrial Growth Source: TH Context: India has recently turned a net exporter of toys (in 2020-21 and 2021-22), ending decades of import dominance. An overview of the Indian toy industry: In 2015-16, the industry had …
GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Indian Economy and issues relating to Planning, Mobilization of Resources, Growth, Development and Employment Source: HT Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released its annual report for the year 2022-23, providing information on the RBI’s functioning through the fiscal year as well as the state of the economy …
Continue reading “Key takeaways from the RBI Annual Report for 2022-23”
GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Linkages between Development and Spread of Extremism Source: IE Context: Amid fresh violence in Manipur, the Kuki National Organisation (KNO) has countered the claims of the Manipur CM that 40 insurgents had been killed by security forces. How did violent clashes start? Violence erupted in the Kuki-dominated Churachandpur …
GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Food Security; Technology Missions Source: ET Context: According to a UN report, India’s pilot studies on rice fortification showed a significant drop in the prevalence of anaemia among schoolchildren. Food Fortification: Meaning: It is defined as the practice of adding vitamins and minerals to commonly consumed foods during processing …
Continue reading “Food Fortification: Benefits and associated risks”
GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Indigenization of Technology & Developing New Technology Source: NITI Aayog Context: The NITI Aayog recently released a report on ‘The Role of Small Modular Reactors in the Energy Transition’. Background: Apart from Renewable Energy (RE), nuclear is also being explored as a clean energy option to help the nations …
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GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Science and Technology- Developments and their Applications and Effects in Everyday Life Source: DTE Context: According to a new report, technologies that are powered by DRE could potentially impact 37 million livelihoods in India’s agriculture and textile sectors. DRE: Energy that is generated close to where it will be …
Continue reading “Decentralised renewable energy (DRE) technologies”
