Resource Efficiency Circular Economy Industry Coalition

GS Paper 3  Syllabus: Environment and Conservation   Source: PIB  Context: The Union Minister of Environment Forest and Climate Change launched the Resource Efficiency Circular Economy Industry Coalition (RECEIC).   Where? It was launched on the sidelines of the 4th G20 Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) and Environment and Climate Ministers meeting in …

The Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill 2023

GS Paper 2  Syllabus: Government Policies and Interventions for Development in various sectors and Issues arising out of their Design and Implementation   Source: LM  Context: The Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill 2023 was passed by the Lok Sabha.   Cooperatives in India and issues faced by them:  Meaning: Co-operatives are voluntary, democratic, and autonomous …

The Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2023

GS Paper 2  Syllabus: Government Policies and Interventions for Development in various sectors and Issues arising out of their Design and Implementation   Source: ET  Context: The Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill 2023 to amend the offshore areas mineral law was introduced in Lok Sabha.   About the bill: The bill, prepared …

The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill 2023

GS Paper 2  Syllabus: Important Aspects of Governance, Transparency and Accountability   Source: TH Context: The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill 2023 is set to be taken up during the ongoing Monsoon Session of the Parliament.   Objective of the Bill: To redefine the regulatory landscape of the country with decriminalisation of minor offences …

FAO Strategy on Climate Change 2022–2031

   GS Paper 3  Syllabus: Environment and Conservation   Source: FAO  Context: At a time when the world is reeling under challenges like hunger, COVID-19, ecosystem degradation and inequalities, the presentation of the FAO Strategy on Climate Change 2022-2031 is timely.   How? The Strategy rests on the vision of climate-resilient agriculture to transform agri-food …

The DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill 2019

GS Paper 2  Syllabus: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation   Source: IE  Context: The Union government withdrew the DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill 2019 from the Lok Sabha.   What is DNA technology? DNA/Deoxyribonucleic acid is the genetic material of …

Managing microplastic pollution in India

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, …

Parliamentary Panel on Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Bill 2023

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 …

India’s great power ambitions and dilemmas

GS Paper 2  Syllabus: International Relations   Source: TH  Context: The article discusses the dilemmas India faces in pursuing its great power ambitions. Some argue that India should prioritize uplifting its people above the poverty line and improving governance before venturing into global power politics. However, the article emphasizes that India’s rise as a great …

The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill 2023

 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 …

Why is the oral polio vaccine still crucial to eradicate polio?

GS Paper 2  Syllabus: Issues related to health   Source: TH Context: It seems that the last mile to realising the dream of a polio-free world is going to be challenging.   Why? The US, UK and Israel recently reported polio cases in unvaccinated people after having been polio-free for more than a decade. Their …

Use of women as weapons of assault in a conflict

GS Paper 1  Syllabus: Women-related issues   Source: IE Context: A video of two Kuki women being paraded naked by a mob during the ongoing clashes in Manipur is circulating on social media. The larger question: Women’s bodies have become sites of male violence, especially during communally charged conflicts.   Reasons behind this grim reality: …

Facilitating Investment in the Sustainable Development Goals

GS Paper 2  Syllabus: Government Policies and Investment   Source: UNCTAD Context: The UNCTAD released a new publication – “Facilitating Investment in the Sustainable Development Goals”. About the publication: It is part of UNCTAD’s investment advisory series, which provides practical advice and case studies of best policy practices for attracting FDI that contribute to sustainable …

Strengthening Multilateral Development Banks: The Triple Agenda

GS Paper 2  Syllabus: Important International Institutions, agencies and fora – their Structure, Mandate   Source: CGDEV  Context: An Independent Expert Group (IEG) that was commissioned by the Indian G20 Presidency has released the ‘Strengthening Multilateral Development Banks: The Triple Agenda’ report.   What are Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs)? An MDB is an international financial …