Blog

1. ISRO tests booster for Gaganyaan GSLV Mk-III rocket, to be used for the mission, will have two HS200 boosters The Indian Space Research Organisation

1. Event Horizon reveals true colours of SgrA* Telescope, a collaboration of 300 researchers, captured image of black hole at the centre of the Milky

1. SC puts colonial sedition law on hold Court suspends pending criminal trials under Section 124A, allows Centre to reconsider the law The Supreme Court

1. Rupee hits a new low amid dollar outflow The rupee on Monday fell to an all-time low of 77.44 against the U.S. dollar due

1. Future looms dark for 48% of bird species Study points to increased human footprint Humans eat 14% of the world’s surviving species of birds.

1. UNSC jointly backs peace bid in Ukraine This is its first statement since the Russian invasion The UN Security Council has expressed “deep concern”

1. ISRO’s unique goal for Venus mission Expedition likely to cost between ₹500 crore and ₹1,000 crore :ISRO chairman The mission to Venus is likely

1. WHO estimates 4.7 million COVID-linked deaths in IndiaThe figure is nearly 10 times the government’s official count for 2020 and 2021 There were likely

1. Bill assent, a delay and the Governor’s options With its provision for definite choices, the Constitution makes it obligatory for the Governor to act

1. No one can be forced to get vaccinated: SC ‘Some State-level curbs on unvaccinated disproportionate’ The Supreme Court on Monday upheld the right of

1. Governments ignoring court orders, says CJI ‘Contempt petitions pose new burden on judiciary’ The sheer “defiance” of governments towards judicial pronouncements, their inclination to

1. ‘Mother Nature’ a ‘living being’ with legal entity: Madras HC It will have rights, duties and liabilities like a living person, says Madurai Bench

1. ‘States not passing on fuel duty cut to people’ PM flays non-BJP governments for not reducing VAT Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said

1. Act against communal hate, SC tells two States Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh told to take preventive steps The Supreme Court on Tuesday turned the heat

1. CJI mulls listing of pleas on removal of J&K special status ‘This is a five-judge Bench case… Let me ask other judges’ Chief Justice

1. 2 JeM ‘fidayeen’ militants killed in Jammu ahead of PM’s visit A CISF officer also killed in Sunjwan gunfight amid enhanced security Two unidentified

1. Unfounded apprehensions about this Act In the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, data collection does not seem disproportionate with the Act’s objectives The Criminal Procedure

1. ‘War to test resilience of global financial system’ IMF flags the risks of future shocks Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has driven up financial stability

1. Wholesale price inflation climbs to 14.55% in MarchThe broad-based inflation is led by fuel and power Inflation in India’s wholesale prices hit a four-month

1. Green project will add life to Rajasthan park Locals, experts to work in tandem A green agriculture project, funded by the Food and Agriculture

1. e-DAR portal to speed up accident compensation claims It will be linked to other databases for instant information A web portal designed by the

1. Hits and misses: India’s solar power energy targets How far has India come with respect to solar power generation and storage? Why do the

1. The process of electing India’s President Will the recent Assembly Elections impact the presidential election in July? How is the vote value for each

1. Modi pushes for peace as Shehbaz flags Kashmir Elected unopposed, new Pak. PM raises issue of Article 370 Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished Pakistan’s

1. India’s role in a disordered world New Delhi can play an important role in shaping a new, more democratic, world order Western nations want

1. President bats for mediation as a dispute resolution tool Kovind flags reluctance among judiciary to adopt mediation President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday advocated

1. Russia suspended from rights council India abstains from vote at UNGA Russia’s membership to the Human Rights Council (HRC), to which it was elected

1. India offers help to end Russia-Ukraine conflict   Russia is ‘very important partner’: External Affairs Minister India will be “glad” to help in bringing

1. No-trust vote dismissed, Imran gets Pak. Parliament dissolved Opposition turns to top court after President acts on Prime Minister’s advice Pakistan’s beleaguered Prime Minister

1. India-Australia deal seeks to double bilateral trade in 5 years Significant economic pact for New Delhi amid Canberra’s tensions with Beijing India and Australia

1. CJI flags ‘falling credibility’ of CBI Justice Ramana calls for umbrella probe body to avoid multiple proceedings Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana on

1. key partner sides with Opposition Opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif will be next PM, says Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari Pakistan’s embattled Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday

1. Indian power projects replace Chinese ventures in Sri Lanka Concerns were raised over projects’ proximity to T.N. India will set up hybrid power projects

1. Protest in LS as Bill envisages lifting biometrics of detainees New Criminal Procedure Bill violates rights: MPs The Criminal Procedure (Identification) Bill, 2022, that

1. The era of an unemployed India There are many indices of proof that seriously contradict the tall claims of employment generation in India Reports

1. How mitochondria adapted to living within cells Billions of years ago, a prokaryotic organism called archaea captured a bacterial endosymbiont An organism that has

1. India’s complex position on Islamophobia India’s assertion criticising the OIC Resolution on Islamophobia was valid, but could have made a reference to Indian Muslims

1. Exports cross $400-bn annual target as goods shipments jump Prime Minister congratulates farmers, weavers and MSMEs on the achievement India’s annual goods exports crossed

16 people clandestinely reach Rameswaram in two batches 1. Sri Lankan Tamil families flee to India citing economic crisis The economic crisis in Sri Lanka

1. Beleaguered Imran pats India, flays Pak. Army Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday criticised the Pakistan Army and the Opposition as his government

1. Geography gives India an advantage: Navy ‘We are building capacity to counter whatever capacity China can bring,’ it says The basic advantage is India’s

1. Finland ranked happiest country for fifth year Afghanistan, Lebanon come last on list Finland has been named the world’s happiest country for the fifth

1. India extends $1 billion credit to Sri Lanka Neighbourhood first, says Jaishankar India on Thursday extended a $1 billion credit facility to Sri Lanka

1. SC backs Centre’s OROP scheme Court directs the Union govt. to conduct ‘re-fixation exercise’ from July 1, 2019 The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld

1. Wearing hijab is not essential part of religion: Karnataka HC ‘Ban in schools constitutionally permissible’ The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday upheld the ban

1. Microfinance firms can set interest: RBI The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Monday allowed microfinance institutions to fix interest rates on loans, with

1. The functioning of the ISS after sanctions Will the U.S.’s stiff curbs on Russia affect their collaboration on the International Space Station? Russia’s part

1. Pak. seeks joint probe into missile incident It slams ‘lapses’ in handling of strategic weapons by India Pakistan on Saturday rejected the explanation offered

1. Shutdown this misguided energy policy The vulnerabilities of reactors and their high costs are strong reasons why India must cancel its nuclear expansion plans

1. Russia says China is refusing to supply parts to its airlines China has refused to supply Russian airlines with aircraft parts, an official at

1. Cabinet nod for new firm to monetise land assets Govt. eyes substantial revenues The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the setting up of a

1. Bangladesh, India, Nepal to move ahead on MVA pact Bhutan has not endorsed the plan for now With Bhutan continuing to sit out the

1. ‘Sealed cover’ jurisprudence is appalling As the MediaOne case shows, a judiciary that is a mute spectator to any executive action highlights democratic decay

1. ‘Operation Ganga’ is proof of India’s growing clout, says Modi Congress, NCP, Shiv Sena slam Prime Minister for politicising the evacuation The fact that

1. Mission creep: on NATO expansionism Why did the North Atlantic Treaty Organization accept former Warsaw Pact states into the alliance? The story so far:

1. India abstains again in UN vote HRC panel to probe Russian actions India on Friday abstained on a vote at the UN Human Rights

1. Sri Lanka reels under fuel crunch, power cuts Energy, Industries Ministers sacked after both criticised govt. response A crippling fuel shortage and consequent power

1. Indians told to rush from war-hit Kharkiv In call with Putin, PM Modi discusses safe evacuation of Indians; exit route from Sumy being worked

1. The Ukraine war, India and a stand of non-alignment Very few sayings are as true as: “Truth is the first casualty in war”. Its

1. Ukraine’s situation, India’s national interest While India needs to remind Russia that its actions violate the BRICS Delhi resolution, the UN can assist Ukraine

1. NITI studying options to tackle obesity in country Taxation on foods high on fats, sugar, salt being looked into India can take actions such

1. ‘Disturbed’ India abstains from vote against Russia at UNSC ‘Saddened’ Ukraine refers to plight of Indians in country under Russian attack India, along with

1. Inflection point for the West-led global order Its future will be defined by how it responds to the crisis in Ukraine, and in the

1. World shocked by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine Eight killed, nine wounded, says Ukraine official Russia launched an all-out invasion of Ukraine by land,

1. Drafting a new Constitution is impossible That the Centre is suppressing the powers of the States is not reason enough for a new statute

1. ‘BIS certification mandatory for footwear’ Awareness programmes held as manufacturers have to apply online for licence The Bureau of Indian Standards, Chennai Region, has

1. ‘Sustained investment in science helped India fight pandemic’ Govt. to organise week-long festival to celebrate science Ahead of a week-long celebration of India’s achievements

1. Tapping technology for multilingual learning As the theme of International Mother Language Day 2022, it has much relevance in reshaping Indian higher education It

1. Night pollinators: how moths help the Himalayas These insects have so far received less scientific attention than bees and butterflies Moths are vital to

1. India needs a refugee and asylum law On refugee issues, it ought to be among the most admired nations and not one that has

1. Conviction rate in human trafficking cases declining Activists call for robust inter-State investigations Twice every week, two women from Basanti in South 24 Parganas

1. Anti-lynching Bills passed by four States hanging fire Lynching not defined as a crime under IPC, Centre has said Bills passed against lynching in

1. Govt. bans 54 new Chinese mobile apps The Centre on Monday banned over 50 new Chinese mobile applications, including Rise of Kingdoms: Lost Crusade,

1. The import ban on drones Why has the Government issued such a ban? Will this move help promote more indigenous models of drones? The

1. Taking a byte out of cyber threats Rather than wait for the ‘Big Bang cyber attack’, nations and institutions ought to be prepared for

1. Local job laws that raise constitutional questions State laws that limit the rights of out-of-State citizens go against the idea of India being one

1. BIS scales up regulation of gold hallmarking On an average, 150 market samples are taken from jewellers for quality checks The Bureau of Indian

1. Haryana Cabinet nod for anti-conversion Bill ‘Umpteen cases of religious conversions recorded’ The Haryana Cabinet on Tuesday approved the draft of the Haryana Prevention

1. Majoritarianism is wearing the veil of debate Right-wing groups are holding hostage the rights of Muslim women to education and dignity Along coastal Karnataka,

1. Nation mourns its ‘nightingale’ Lata Mangeshkar passes away at 92; Centre announces 2-day national mourning Lata Mangeshkar, affectionately called a “Nightingale of India”, who

1. Many seats redrawn in J&K delimitation draft NC rejects interim report, calls it unconstitutional The J&K Delimitation Commission has come out with a fresh

1. Remove penal clauses from population control Bill: BJP MP Several members raise concerns during discussion in the Rajya Sabha The Rajya Sabha on Friday

1. Indian diplomats to boycott Beijing games Selection of PLA’s Galwan soldier as torchbearer sparks row Terming China’s decision to field a People’s Liberation Army

1. Process on to amend criminal laws: govt. Clarify stand on criminalising marital rape, says CPI The government has started the process of comprehensive amendments

1. 5G services to roll out in FY23: Sitharaman TRAI setting auction terms: Vaishnaw Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said the government would

1. Survey pegs growth at 8-8.5% in ’22-23 Forecast assumes oil prices at $70-75, no pandemic disruptionsGrowth estimate a conservative projection, says CEA NageswaranConcerns remain

1. Mahatma Gandhi, the out-of-the-box thinker Since Gandhiji does not fit into any hard and fast category, he continues to disturb us The 74th anniversary

1. Parasitic plant found in Nicobar eco hotspot Septemeranthus partially depends on its host but also has leaves capable of photosynthesis A new genus of

1. SC quashes a year’s suspension of 12 Maharashtra BJP MLAs ‘Illegal to suspend beyond a session; governments can manipulate numbers’ The Supreme Court on

1. Central Asia meet forms Afghan group PM says countries ‘concerned about the developments in Afghanistan’; leaders discuss connectivity Overcoming the lack of land connectivity

1. Unlock India’s food processing potential Growing populations and unrestricted use of natural resources must push nations to have an efficient food value chain What’s

1. Why Republic Day is celebrated India is a republic only when its laws result from free public discussion and pass open scrutiny The Preamble

1. Pakistan sends India a plea by Hindu body for air pilgrimage Officials in Delhi, Islamabad cautious, say government clearances may take time Despite a

1. Omicron in community transmission: INSACOG ‘Most cases mild, but hospitalisations, ICU cases up’ Omicron is now in community transmission in India and has become

1. Kerala gets its first ever scientific bird atlas KBA is arguably Asia’s largest bird atlas in terms of geographical extent The Kerala Bird Atlas

1. Amar Jawan Jyoti now merged with War Memorial flame: govt. Congress and some veterans oppose removal of tribute to 1971 Bangladesh war The iconic

1. SC upholds OBC quota in NEET ‘Open exam only ensures formal equality, does not end ingrained inequalities’ The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the

1. Muscles starve in the absence of vitamin D, study of mice finds The study examined the molecular nature of muscle dysfunction in mice, in

1. ‘Suggestions sought on criminalising marital rape’ Central government tells Delhi High Court it is considering a ‘constructive approach’ on the matter The Centre on

1. Qualification test of cryogenic engine for Gaganyaan successful The performance during the 720-second trial met the objectives, says ISRO The Indian Space Research Organisation

1. Treating the planet well can aid progress An integrated perspective is necessary as social and environmental problems cannot be addressed in isolation anymore The

1. The sail that Indian diplomacy, statecraft need Striking the right balance between continental and maritime security will enable India’s long-term security interests When Prime

1. Some Raj Bhavans are on the war path The Governor must be mindful of being a friend and a guide to his government, more

1. Polls in five States from February 10 to March 7 Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Goa and Manipur will be held between

‘India to surpass Japan as Asia’s 2nd largest economy by 2030’ IHS Markit sees consumption spending doubling over a decade to $3 tn by 2030

1. Russia-led troops deployed in Kazakhstan Dozens killed in Central Asia Republic as protests over rising prices escalate A Moscow-led military alliance dispatched troops to

China’s bridge over Pangong Tso What is the current situation in Eastern Ladakh? How has India responded to the new developments? China is building a

1. States told to share intel on common grid Shah asks DGPs to provide adequate information through counter-terror network The Union government has asked the

1. China constructing bridge on Pangong lake in Ladakh It will bring down time to move troops and equipment China is constructing a bridge in

1. ₹8 lakh income ‘reasonable’ cap for EWS quota, Centre tells SC The criterion is ‘more stringent’ than the one for OBC creamy layer, the

1. Modi releases aid for farmers Economic indicators in a better position than in pre-COVID era, says PM Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday released

Feminist writer Ambai wins Sahitya Akademi award She has been honoured for her short story collection Sivappu Kazhutthudan Oru Patchaiparavai Tamil feminist writer Ambai, whose

The efficiency myth of Aadhaar linking The Government has made several dubious claims to push the Aadhaar project The Union Government hastily passed a Bill

1. Put out the data, boost the dose of transparency The Government must make COVID-19 data including that for vaccine regulatory approvals and policy available

1. Why the Aadhaar-voter ID link must be stopped Aadhaar use to construct elector databases has resulted in exclusion and will help in profiling the

1. Kashmiri apples face Iranian kiwi pests The valley’s apple dealers write to horticulture experts and the Ministry of Agriculture The import of Iranian kiwis

1. ‘Population not the sole factor in J&K delimitation’ A provision in delimitation Acts from 1952 onwards, which says that other than population, factors like

1.The perils of ideological certitude There seems an order of priorities in place for much of the electorate instead of the bread and butter governance

1.Don’t use new law to justify LAC moves, India tells China ‘It will have no bearing on present boundary arrangements’ China must not use its

1.Why India shouldn’t sign on to net zero Doing so would be to accede to further over-appropriation of the global carbon budget by a few

1.A reminder that India still trails in the hunger fight The Government’s objection to the methodology of the Global Hunger Index is not based on

1.‘Kashmir has become a laboratory for all forces’ Militancy and civilian killings continuing despite the withdrawal of Article 370, says senior J&K politician and CWC

1.India weighs ‘net zero’ target ahead of CoP It will insist that developed nations keep their pledges India has not entirely ruled out the possibility

1.The carbon markets conundrum at COP26 Success in Glasgow hinges to a great extent on the conclusion of one of the most technical and highly

1.No excuses please, India awaits a full caste headcount The central government’s logistical or legal justifications to not disclose caste census data do not stand

1.A shadow foreign policy for the first time A document suggesting an alternative foreign policy has been put forth, but will the Opposition consider it?

1.Zeolite oxygen concentrators: chemistry in three dimensions At the heart of this technology are synthetic frameworks of silica and alumina with nanometer-sized pores that are

1.‘Gati Shakti’ will boost infra projects: PM  ‘It will help India realise its dream of becoming business capital of the world’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi

1.Retail inflation falls to 4.35%; industrial output growth up Don’t read too much into the encouraging data: economists India’s retail inflation cooled off to a

1.The next step is a constitutional right to health Presently, any investment in health care has failed to translate into a sense of security and

1.A ‘Taiwan flashpoint’ in the Indo-Pacific In pursuing its Indo-Pacific strategy, India needs to be mindful of the China-U.S. equations in the region If the

1.Global pact on minimum corporate tax of 15% It will end ‘race to bottom’ among countries wooing MNCs A milestone global deal to ensure big

1.Reflections on the ‘quasi-federal’ democracy Despite a basic structure, Indian federalism needs institutional amendment to be democratically federal Events coinciding with the jubilee of India’s

1. Seeding a data revolution in Indian agriculture But technology fixes and agri-business investments alone will not be enough to improve farmers’ livelihoods In June

1.U.P. tops list of States emitting fine particulate matter: study Council on Energy, Environment and Water does analysis Uttar Pradesh is the largest emitter of

1.RBI microfinance proposals that are anti-poor The proposed guidelines will favour private credit institutions at the cost of public sector banks In June 2021, the

1.Taproots to help restore India’s fading green cover In forest restoration, the participation of local communities and adequate financing and incentives are essential Covering nearly

1.Reimagining food systems with lessons from India With an alarming escalation in global hunger unfolding, reaching the goal of an equitable livelihood is a necessity

1.A tiny plant that can ‘digest’ low density plastic sheets From the murky waters of a lake in Chennai, researchers isolated an alga that breaks

1.NEET: OCI candidates can appear in general category Court says they need not be treated on a par with NRIs The Supreme Court on Thursday

1.A fund without a care for the RTI The Government’s claim that the PM CARES Fund is not a public authority is unacceptable It may

1.Germany as a development actor in a post-Merkel era The new Chancellor must enable global cooperation policies for a sustainable future with India and the

1.ICRA raises FY22 growth estimate to 9% Potential third wave, efficacy of existing vaccines against possible new variants remain key risks: Nayar Rating agency ICRA

1.These investigations are a face without a heart There is no longer any respect for the citizen’s rights but only a single-minded assertion of unaccountable

1.India is the mother of all democracies, PM says at UNGA Targets Pakistan, China for exporting terror, ignoring rules-based global order Terming India the “mother

1.When global firms disengage, employment suffers While inward FDI in India does create jobs, the magnitude and quality of job generation need scrutiny The most

1.A disease surveillance system, for the future Diseases and outbreaks are realities and a well-functioning system can help reduce their impact A defining moment in

1.The big deal behind the ruckus over AUKUS China’s economic and military capacities as well as its belligerence have led to a shift in regional

1.Western Ghats offer major additions to flora Botanical Survey of India says 202 species were discovered across the country in 2020 The Botanical Survey of

1.IISc researchers find a way to substitute for single-use plastics By combining non-edible oils and cellulose extracted from agricultural stubble, the researchers made biodegradable, multiuse

1.GST Council not for inclusion of petroleum products: FinMin Centre turns down States’ plea for compensation beyond June 2022 The Goods and Services Tax (GST)

1.Two democracies and their vigilante problem While in India, the word spells bad news, in the U.S., as seen in Texas, the citizen arrester seems

1.Lifeline for telcos as govt. offers four-year moratorium on dues Reforms include redefinition of AGR concept; 100% FDI under automatic route The Cabinet on Wednesday

1.No firm commitment from India on ‘net zero’: Kerry Emissions goal not the only priority, govt. tells climate envoy The world is watching commitments on

1.In Manipur, a case for asymmetric federalism Institutionally accommodating tribal distinctiveness as an enduring good will promote the State’s integrity As a normative idea and

1.What is investment risk? Risk must be defined based on investment objective, not on the possibility of negative returns in future How do you define

1.CJI raises concern over backlog of criminal cases in Allahabad HC 1.83 lakh criminal appeals pending in court, Uttar Pradesh govt. had told SC Chief

1.BRICS seeks ‘inclusive’ intra-Afghan dialogue 5-member group adopts Counter Terrorism Action Plan The 13th BRICS summit held virtually on Thursday called for an “inclusive intra-Afghan

1.The economic reforms — looking back to look ahead The fundamentals need to be set right with a focus on human capital, technology readiness and

1.The long and the short of the NMP It is surprising the Government has avoided mentioning the consequences of asset monetisation on ordinary citizens In

1.The judicial role in improving lawmaking Rushed laws, rendering Parliament a rubber stamp, sacrifice core ideals of a constitutional democracy The deterioration in the quality

1.Soil microbes can make for a greener revolution A new and fascinating aspect to hybrid vigour is the rhizomicrobiome Plants appear to be simple enough

1.Edible oil prices likely to ease by December: official But govt. unlikely to reduce import duties: Food Secretary Soaring edible oil prices are likely to

1.A hydro onslaught the Himalayas cannot take There is rock solid scientific evidence to demand the cancellation of many upcoming and approved hydel projects In

1.Where liberalism and nationalism are placed in Asia India and China have used the present world system to fashion their rise, with no alternative based

1.UNSC resolution addresses ‘key concerns’ on Afghanistan: India P5 members divided; Delhi plays ‘active role’ to ensure resolution went through Despite the abstention of two

1.India is indeed walking the green talk Even with all its challenges, the country is setting a global example in meeting its Nationally Determined Contributions

1.NITI bats for tax breaks to achieve monetisation goal It proposes insolvency cover for investment instruments To make the National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP) a success,

1.Why are hydropower projects in the Himalayas risky? Environment Ministry told the SC earlier this month that seven hydel projects in the region can go

1.Centre to ease path for monetisation Finance Minister to chair meet with regulators to relax investment norms Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will soon chair

1.Biden briefed on Kabul airport attack: White House Britain will continue to evacuate its citizens and Afghans despite the ‘barbaric’ bomb attack, says Boris Johnson

1.Income and quotas SC lays bare the limits of using economic criterion to determine reservation eligibility The Supreme Court’s ruling that economic criterion alone cannot

1.Climate change, a catalyst for Arctic cooperation Environmental challenges should be a priority for all players in the region, outweighing military and economic issues It

1.Bhima Koregaon: NIA files draft charges ‘The accused committed unlawful acts with an intent to threaten the unity and sovereignty of country’ The National Investigation