MASI Portal

Source: PIB    Context: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has developed an application called ‘MASI’ (Monitoring App for Seamless Inspection) for real-time monitoring of Child Care Institutions (CCIs) across the country. The app aims to ensure effective and efficient inspection of CCIs as provided under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 (amended …

Mediation Bill, 2021

  Source: ET  Context: The Rajya Sabha passed the Mediation Bill 2021, which mandates individuals to attempt the settlement of civil or commercial disputes through mediation before approaching any court or tribunal. Parties can withdraw from mediation after two sessions, and the mediation process must be completed within 180 days, extendable by another 180 days …

Justice G. Rohini Commission

  Source: TH  Context: The Justice G. Rohini Commission, tasked with sub-categorising Other Backward Classes (OBC) caste groups, has submitted its report to the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment after nearly six years. Formed in 2017 and led by former Delhi High Court Chief Justice G. Rohini, the commission aimed to examine the concentration …

The Indian Institutes of Management (Amendment) Bill, 2023

Facts for Prelims (FFP)  Source: IE, TH  Context: The Indian Institutes of Management (Amendment) Bill, 2023, introduced in Lok Sabha, aims to change the law governing the administration of Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs). The Bill proposes giving the government an expanded role in the appointment and removal of IIM Directors and initiating inquiries.   …

Jharkhand issues PESA draft rules for consultations

GS Paper 2  Syllabus: Government Programme and Policies   Source: IE   Context: The Jharkhand government has released draft rules for public consultation to implement The Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) enacted in 1996. In Jharkhand, Scheduled Areas are identified by the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution, covering 13 out …

PM-WANI

Facts for Prelims (FFP) Source: IE  Context: The Digital India programme has three main vision areas: digital connectivity, software and services on demand, and digital empowerment of citizens. To achieve this, the creation of inter-operable public Wi-Fi hotspots called PM-WANI (Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) was proposed to provide affordable internet access to the common people, …

India has a 3–5-year China+1 window

  Source: Economic Times   Context: World Bank President stated that India has shown resilience and emerged stronger from the pandemic compared to other countries. He expressed optimism, as the country’s focus on growth and job creation is crucial in reducing poverty. Highlighted the “China+1” opportunity, where companies seek alternative manufacturing sites to diversify supply …

Breaking Barriers and Building Inclusivity – Women still minority

GS Paper 2  Syllabus: Social Justice   Source: TH   Context: Preeti Aghalyam, the first woman to become the Director of an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), highlighted the underrepresentation of women on IIT campuses. Her appointment coincides with a broader effort by various IITs to address the gender imbalance on their campuses.   The …

India joins the Champions Group of the Global Crisis Response Group

Facts for Prelims (FFP)  Source: MEA  Context: India has accepted an invitation from United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to join the Champions Group of the Global Crisis Response Group (GCRG).   About GCRG The GCRG was established (in 2022) by the UN Secretary-General to address urgent global issues related to food security, energy, and finance, …

Performance Grading Index for Districts (PGI-D) 2.0

Facts for Prelims (FFP)   Source: PIB   Context: The Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSE&L), under the Ministry of Education, has released the Performance Grading Index for Districts (PGI-D) combined report for 2020-21 and 2021-22. This index assesses the performance of the school education system at the district level by creating a comprehensive …

Farmers Distress Index

Facts For Prelims   Source: DTE Context: The Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA) in India has developed a unique early warning system known as the “farmers’ distress index.” Significance of the index: The purpose of this index is to minimize agrarian distress, including crop loss, failure, and income shocks, which have led to …

Chatbot for people in mental distress

Facts For Prelims   Source: TH Context: India’s first Tele-MANAS chatbot, designed to engage with people in distress, has been launched in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). The initiative aims to provide round-the-clock access to health counsellors, clinical psychologists, and consultants. The launch took place during the J&K Health Conclave on Mental Health and Non-Communicable Diseases. …

Sarpanch Pati

GS Paper 2 Syllabus: Governance Source: TH Context: The Supreme Court of India has stated that the issue of men wielding power behind elected women in grassroots politics (also called as sarpanch Pati) should be addressed by the government and not the judiciary. The court advised an NGO, to make a representation before the Ministry …

Centre to integrate child helpline with ERSS-112

Source: Economic Times  Context: The Ministry of Women and Child Development in India has decided to integrate the women’s helpline and child helpline services with the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS-112) as part of the One Nation One Helpline vision.   More about the News: The Childline service, which provides emergency outreach services for children …

Punchhi Commission Recommendations and Potential Solutions for Manipur Crisis

GS Paper 2  Syllabus: Polity – Centre-State Relations   Source: IE  Context: The recent crisis in Manipur has sparked renewed interest in the Punchhi Commission Recommendations, which offer potential solutions for effectively managing such situations.    About Punchhi Commission: The government constituted the Second Commission on Interstate Relations under the chairmanship of Justice (retired) Madan …

VAIBHAV Fellowship Programme  

Facts for Prelims (FFP) Source: PIB  Context: The Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology, is launching the Vaishvik Bhartiya Vaigyanik (VAIBHAV) fellowships program. This program aims to recognize outstanding scientists and technologists of Indian origin residing in other countries (NRI/OCI/PIO) who are engaged in research. The program will award fellowships …

Three years after Galwan: Where India-China ties stand

GS Paper 2  Syllabus: International Relations – India-China Relations   Source: IE    Context: The Galwan clash was a significant event in India-China relations. The clash resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers, marking the first time Indian Army personnel were killed on the Line of Actual Control since 1975. Both sides have engaged …