[pib] PMKVY 3.0

The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has launched Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 3.0. Note the differences between all three versions of PMKVY. PMKVY 3.0 PMKVY 3.0 envisages training of eight lakh candidates over the scheme period of 2020-2021. This phase three will focus on new-age and COVID-related skills. The 729 PM… Continue reading

Adultery Law and the Armed Forces

The Supreme Court has admitted a petition filed by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) seeking to exempt armed forces personnel from the ambit of a Constitution Bench judgment of 2018 that decriminalized adultery. Q. Personnels of the Indian Armed Forces constitute a ‘Distinct Class’. Discuss this statement in context to the extension of IPC section… Continue reading

NASA’s Curiosity Rover celebrates 3000 days on Mars

The Mars rover ‘Curiosity’ has completed 3,000 Martian days. Try this PYQ: Q.Which region of Mars has a densely packed river deposit indicating this planet had water 3.5 billion years ago? (a) Aeolis Dorsa (b) Tharsis (c) Olympus Mons (d) Hellas Curiosity Rover Curiosity is an SUV-sized Mars rover designed to explore the Gale crater… Continue reading

Sulawesi Cave Paintings

A team of archaeologists in Indonesia has discovered what may be the world’s oldest known cave painting dating back to more than 45,000 years. Try this PYQ: Q.There are only two known examples of cave paintings of the Gupta period in ancient India. One of these is paintings of Ajanta caves. Where is the other… Continue reading

Covid-19 vaccine policy

The article explains the challenge in the vaccination program for the Covid-19 vaccine. Issue of lack of data about the vaccine In the COVID vaccine roll out, there is no clear data for either of the two vaccines proposed for use in the programme. We do not know if they provide protection for life, for… Continue reading

Improving fiscal situation through budget

The budget could be an opportunity to increase the consumption which has been impacted by the pandemic and still continues to show the declining trends. Continuing decline in consumption The first advance estimates of GDP for 2020-21 are much better than the earlier market consensus. The demand side, however, continues to be in a decline… Continue reading

Mutual Funds Risk-o-Meter

The capital markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has made it mandatory for mutual funds to assign a risk level to schemes, based on certain parameters. Try this PYQ: Q.Which of the following is issued by registered foreign portfolio investors to overseas investors who want to be part of the Indian stock… Continue reading

[pib] IAF to induct LCA Tejas

The Union Cabinet has approved procurement of 73 LCA Tejas Mk-1A fighter aircraft and 10 LCA Tejas Mk-1 Trainer aircraft for Indian Air Force. Try this PYQ from CSP 2018: Q.What is “Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)”, sometimes seen in the news? (a) An Israeli radar system (b) India’s indigenous anti-missile programme (c) An… Continue reading

Paternity Leave in India

Indian cricket captain has opted for paternity leave amidst an ongoing tournament. This has led to his criticism as well as praise for prioritizing family. Q.Paternity leave is one of the solutions which can help in ending the “motherhood penalty”. Examine with context to working mothers. What is Paternity leave? Paternity leave is a short… Continue reading

[pib] Khadi Prakritik Paint – India’s first cow dung paint

Union Minister for MSMEs has launched an innovative new paint called Khadi Prakritik Paint – India’s first cow dung paint It is very unlikely that an MCQ will be asked in Prelims. However one must know this from mains perspective. Khadi Prakritik Paint It is developed by Khadi and Village Industries Commission at his residence.… Continue reading

India’s burden of heart diseases

According to the Global Burden of Disease, nearly a quarter (24.8 per cent) of all deaths in India is due to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The fastest-growing economy has some perils. In this newscard, you will get to see how CVDs are a legacy of economic growth. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Report The GBD is… Continue reading

Management Effectiveness Evaluation of Protected Areas

Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change has released Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) of 146 national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in the country. Map the protected areas mentioned in the newscard in your Atlas. MEE Survey MEE is a very important document that provides valuable guidance on various aspects of wildlife and protected area expand… Continue reading

Progression to electric vehicles: Challenges and opportunities for India

Article highlight India’s preparedness for the faster adoption of electric vehicles and steps taken by the government in this direction. Why electric mobility matters for India It is important for India because such vehicles are sustainable and profitable in the long term. Reducing dependence on crude oil will save the government money, reduce carbon emissions,… Continue reading

National Mission on Quantum Technology and Applications (NM-QTA)

The detailed project report for a National Mission on Quantum Technology and Applications (NM-QTA) has been drawn out and finalised. Q.Discuss various applications of quantum technology for strategic and economic development. Story so far In last year’s budget session, it was proposed that ₹8,000 crores be set aside to develop quantum science and technology. The… Continue reading

Payments Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) Scheme

The RBI has announced operational guidelines to create digital payments acceptance infrastructure across Tier III to Tier VI regions in India. Possible prelims question: Q. Which of the following is the major aim of Payments Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) recently created by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)? a) Promotion of UPI payments b) Deploying… Continue reading

What is a K-shaped Economic Recovery?

The prospects of a K-shaped economic recovery from COVID are increasing both in India and across the world. What is K-Shaped Recovery? A K-shaped recovery occurs when, following a recession, different parts of the economy recover at different rates, times, or magnitudes. This is in contrast to an even, uniform recovery across sectors, industries, or… Continue reading

Mukundpura CM2

An asteroid which made its landfall in Mukundpura village near Jaipur has been named after the same village and is under the study of Geological Survey of India, Kolkata. Try this question from CSP 2014: Q.What is a coma, in the content of astronomy? (a) Bright half of material on the comet (b) Long tail… Continue reading

Improving the diet of low income households to address malnutrition

The article suggests the ways to deal with the menace of malnutrition in the country. Findings of the first phase of NFHS-5 Recently, the first phase of the NFHS-5 survey was published. The deteriorating nutrition and anaemia indicators, especially among children is a cause for concern. More deterioration in nutrition indicators following the COVID-19 pandemic… Continue reading

Salary to women for domestic work

Recently, a political party promised salaries to housewives as a part of its electoral campaign in Tamil Nadu. This led to the debate on the issue. The article deals with the issue. Salary for housework: Historical background Demand for wages against housework was first raised at the third National Women’s Liberation conference in Manchester, England.… Continue reading

First Advance Estimates of GDP for 2021

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released the First Advance Estimates (FAE) for the current financial year. What do estimates show? According to MoSPI, India’s gross domestic product (GDP) — the total value of all final goods and services produced within the country in one financial year — will contract by 7.7 per cent… Continue reading

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