Low-cost finance for the energy transition report

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) …

Groundwater conservation in India

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 …

Importance of Biodiversity

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 …

ILO Monitor on the World of Work (11th edition)

GS Paper 3  Syllabus: Indian Economy and issues relating to Development and Employment   Source: ILO  Context: The ILO Monitor on the World of Work database provides access to several of the indicators related to the labour market. Latest trends:  Uneven impact of the poly-crisis (simultaneous occurrence of several catastrophic events): The war in Ukraine, …

Sedition law in India

GS Paper 2  Syllabus: Functions and Responsibilities of the Union and the States   Source: HT  Context: The Law Commission of India has recommended the retention of the 153-year-old colonial law on sedition in India.   The Sedition Law in India:  Section 124A of the IPC: It deals with Sedition – a non-bailable offence and …

Semiconductor manufacturing in India

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 …

Indian toy industry

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 …

Key takeaways from the RBI Annual Report for 2022-23

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   …

Insurgency in Manipur

 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 …

Food Fortification: Benefits and associated risks

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 …

Hunger Hotspots – FAO-WFP early warnings on acute food insecurity

GS Paper 2/3  Syllabus: Hunger/Food security    Source: DTE  Context: According to a new UN report – Hunger Hotspots – FAO-WFP early warnings on acute food insecurity – India’s neighbours (Pakistan, Afghanistan and Myanmar) are among the hunger hotspots in the world.   Highlights of the report: Many hotspots [Afghanistan, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, …

Global Greenhouse Gas Watch

  Source: WMO  Context: The World Meteorological Congress – the supreme decision-making body of WMO, approved (in its 19th session) a new greenhouse gas (GHG) monitoring initiative – Global Greenhouse Gas Watch.   Background: In 2022, the WMO Executive Council decided to develop an architecture for a global Greenhouse Gas Monitoring Infrastructure to build on …