AIR QUALITY LIFE INDEX (AQLI) 2024 The Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) recently released the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) 2024, highlighting critical issues regarding air pollution and its impact on global health. The report highlights the severe consequences of poor air quality, particularly in countries like India, where a significant
INDIA’S PROPOSALS ON FISHERIES SUBSIDIES AT THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO) India has been actively advocating for regulations on fisheries subsidies at the World Trade Organization (WTO) to address unsustainable fishing practices and protect the livelihoods of small fishermen. The global concern over overfishing and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing has led to discussions
REGULATIONS REGARDING THE USE OF CBI IN STATE INVESTIGATIONS The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) plays a crucial role in handling significant and complex criminal cases in India. However, the decision to transfer an investigation from state police to the CBI is not taken lightly. Recent judicial rulings have emphasized the need for explicit and
GREENHUSHING: A GROWING TREND IN CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY COMMUNICATION In recent years, many companies have been certified as carbon neutral, taking significant steps towards environmental sustainability. However, despite these achievements, several firms choose not to advertise their green credentials or future sustainability goals. This practice, known as "greenhushing," refers to the under-reporting or intentional withholding of
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF AWARENESS OF FOOD LOSS AND WASTE (IDAFLW) 2023: IMPORTANCE FOR FOOD SECURITY AND ENVIRONMENT The world marks the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW) annually on 29th September to highlight the serious issues surrounding food loss and waste. According to the 2023 Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report,
MODIFIED PARBATI-KALISINDH-CHAMBAL EASTERN RAJASTHAN CANAL PROJECT (PKC-ERCP) The Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (PKC-ERCP) represents a crucial inter-state collaboration between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh aimed at addressing severe water scarcity issues in Rajasthan. This project is a component of the broader National Perspective Plan (NPP), which seeks to interlink rivers across India for enhanced
SOCIAL MEDIA REGULATIONS FOR CHILDREN: GLOBAL INITIATIVES With the rise of digital platforms, social media has become a prominent part of children's lives. While it provides opportunities for learning and socialization, it also raises concerns regarding children's safety online. The Australian Prime Minister recently proposed a plan to set a minimum age for social media
CLASSICAL LANGUAGES OF INDIA The Government of India has been recognizing certain languages as "Classical Languages" to preserve their ancient heritage and cultural significance. Recently, the Union Cabinet expanded the list by recognizing five more languages: Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali. These languages, along with previously recognized ones, represent India's rich linguistic diversity and
RATIONALISATION OF CENTRALLY SPONSORED SCHEMES AND LAUNCH OF NATIONAL MISSION ON EDIBLE OILS-OILSEEDS: KEY HIGHLIGHTS The Union Cabinet has recently made significant changes to streamline agricultural initiatives by rationalising 18 centrally sponsored schemes. Among the most notable steps is the introduction of the National Mission on Edible Oils–Oilseeds (NMEO-Oilseeds) aimed at boosting domestic production of
NATIONAL HEALTH ACCOUNTS (NHA) ESTIMATES The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare recently released the National Health Account (NHA) estimates for the fiscal years 2020-21 and 2021-22. These reports are part of a series that track healthcare spending trends in India, helping in better understanding of the country's health expenditure patterns. Key Findings of
NOBEL PRIZE IN PHYSICS 2024 In 2024, the Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to John J. Hopfield and Geoffrey E. Hinton for their groundbreaking work on artificial neural networks (ANNs) and machine learning (ML). Their research laid the foundation for various technological advancements, influencing fields such as physics, biology, healthcare, and artificial intelligence (AI),
INDIA’S CONCERNS OVER THE EUROPEAN UNION’S CBAM AND EUDR India’s Finance Minister recently criticized the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), calling them unilateral measures that create barriers for Indian industries. These regulations aim to reduce carbon emissions and deforestation, but India views them as trade barriers that
BASE YEAR REVISION OF INDIA’S GDP The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) is currently working on revising the base year for calculating India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This move comes after the 2015 base year revision, which changed the base year from 2004-05 to 2011-12 and drew criticism over certain methodological flaws. The
SATI SYSTEM The recent acquittal of 8 individuals involved in glorifying Sati through the construction of temples in honor of the woman who committed Sati in the Roop Kanwar case of 1987 has brought attention to the historical and legal aspects of this practice. The Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987, was enacted in response
INDIA’S BIODIVERSITY TARGETS AND THE KUNMING-MONTREAL GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY FRAMEWORK (KMGBF) India is preparing to submit its National Biodiversity Targets (NBTs) in alignment with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). This move highlights India’s commitment to halting biodiversity loss and conserving ecosystems, with a focus on sustainable
