INDIAN MANUFACTURING NEEDS MORE SOPHISTICATION: FINANCE MINISTER The manufacturing sector in India plays a significant role in the country's economy, contributing 17% to GDP and employing over 27.3 million workers. The government aims to increase its contribution to 25% of the economy by 2025, as part of the Make in India initiative. While certain sectors
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT NAGALAND INSURGENCY The Naga insurgency is one of the longest-running ethnic conflicts in India, primarily driven by the quest for Naga sovereignty and autonomy. The conflict has deeply affected the socio-political dynamics of the northeastern region of India. Recently, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) accused the National Socialist Council
SPACE TOURISM Space tourism, once a futuristic dream, is now becoming a reality with individuals like Gopi Thotakura venturing beyond Earth's atmosphere. This burgeoning industry offers recreational trips to space, presenting both opportunities and challenges. What is Space Tourism? Space tourism involves providing recreational space travel experiences for tourists. Types: Suborbital flights offer
MICROPLASTICS Microplastics, defined as plastic particles smaller than five millimetres in diameter, have become a ubiquitous environmental pollutant, posing significant threats to ecosystems and human health. These minuscule plastic fragments originate from various sources, including the breakdown of larger plastics and deliberate manufacturing of tiny particles for commercial use. Recent studies have shed light on
THE RECENT UNREST IN PAKISTAN-OCCUPIED KASHMIR The unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) has heightened due to economic woes, including soaring prices and financial strain. Pakistan's economy faces significant challenges, marked by high inflation, escalating energy costs, and trade disruptions with India. These factors have contributed to economic instability in regions like PoK, exacerbating the already
PROMOTING COMPETITION IN DIGITAL MARKETS: THE AI CHALLENGE During the 15th annual day celebrations of the Competition Commission of India (CCI), the Chairperson emphasized the inclination of digital markets towards heightened market concentration, potentially leading to monopolistic tendencies. Key Highlights of the Event: The CCI Chairperson pointed out that the dominance of digital platforms over
FARM LOAN WAIVERS Farm loan waivers are governmental measures aimed at relieving farmers from the burden of repaying certain agricultural loans, typically announced during election campaigns to garner support from the farming community. These waivers are implemented to alleviate agrarian distress caused by factors like crop failure, natural calamities, or economic hardships. Governments allocate funds
WIPO TREATY ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, GENETIC RESOURCES, TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE The recently concluded World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) treaty on Intellectual Property (IP), Genetic Resources (GRs), and Associated Traditional Knowledge (ATK) marks a significant achievement for countries of the global South, including India. Adopted by a consensus of over 150 countries, the treaty aims to balance
GLOBAL PANDEMIC AGREEMENT The World Health Assembly (WHA), in its annual meeting, agreed on significant amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) and made commitments to finalize a global pandemic agreement by 2025. These amendments aim to enhance global preparedness, surveillance, and responses to public health emergencies, including pandemics. Key Amendments to IHR Pandemic
ATAL MISSION FOR REJUVENATION AND URBAN TRANSFORMATION (AMRUT) The Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) was launched in 2015 to enhance basic infrastructure and implement urban reforms in selected cities across India, covering about 60% of the urban population. AMRUT 2.0 Scheme Overview: Launched in 2021, AMRUT 2.0 aims to extend the
PERSONALITY RIGHTS The ongoing disputes involving Hollywood actress and OpenAI, and the legal action by the New York Times against OpenAI and Microsoft, underscore the significance of personality rights and the regulatory landscape for AI. Personality rights are vital for individuals, especially celebrities, to control their public persona. In India, while explicit laws on personality
COALITION GOVERNMENT Coalition government refers to a system where multiple political parties cooperate to form a government. This collaboration is often necessary when no single party achieves a clear majority in elections. Coalition governments are built on agreed programs and shared objectives to exercise political power together. Features of Coalition Government Multiple Parties: At least