TRANSBOUNDARY RIVERS BETWEEN INDIA AND NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES India shares numerous rivers with its neighbouring countries, making water management and distribution an essential aspect of bilateral relations. These transboundary rivers not only support agriculture and industry but are also vital for energy production and drinking water supply. Many agreements and treaties have been established to govern
VOLUNTARY VEHICLE-FLEET MODERNIZATION PROGRAM (V-VMP) The Vehicle Scrapping Policy 2021, also known as the Voluntary Vehicle-Fleet Modernization Program (V-VMP), is a recent initiative by the Indian government aimed at modernizing the vehicle fleet on Indian roads. This policy encourages the scrapping of old and unfit vehicles through various incentives, with the ultimate goal of reducing
PATHWAYS AND STRATEGIES FOR ACCELERATING GROWTH IN EDIBLE OILS TOWARDS GOAL OF ATMANIRBHARTA The NITI Aayog's recent report titled "Pathways and Strategies for Accelerating Growth in Edible Oils towards Goal of Atmanirbharta" provides a comprehensive analysis of India’s edible oil sector. It outlines current challenges, future potential, and strategies to achieve self-sufficiency. This report is
GENDER BUDGET STATEMENT (GBS) 2024-25 The 2024-25 Union Budget of India marks a significant milestone in gender-focused financial planning. For the first time, allocations for women-led development have reached 1% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), with funding surpassing ₹3 lakh crore. Key Highlights of GBS 2024-25 Increased Pro-Women Allocations Current Allocation: The budget for
75 YEARS OF THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA: KEY HIGHLIGHTS AND CHALLENGES As the Supreme Court of India celebrates its 75th anniversary, several landmark moments mark its journey in shaping the country’s democracy. Established on 26th January 1950, the Court has been pivotal in upholding constitutional values, protecting citizens' rights, and ensuring justice for all.
BioE3 POLICY The BioE3 Policy has been introduced by the Department of Biotechnology with the aim to foster high-performance biomanufacturing in India. It aligns with national goals such as achieving a 'Net Zero' carbon economy and promoting sustainable development through a circular bioeconomy. This policy is also focused on job creation, especially in tier-II and
OPEC+ DISCUSSING DELAY TO PLANNED OIL OUTPUT HIKE IN OCTOBER The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its alliance OPEC+ play a crucial role in determining global oil production and prices. Recently, OPEC+ nations have announced a reduction in oil output, raising concerns about global oil markets and India’s energy security. As India’s
HOUSEHOLD SAVINGS IN INDIA POST-PANDEMIC The Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), during the Financing 3.0 Summit by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), emphasized the importance of household savings in the post-pandemic recovery phase. With significant changes in saving patterns, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic, household savings are becoming a crucial
INDIAN RAILWAYS - NUCLEAR POWERED TRAINS Indian Railways (IR) is actively exploring alternative energy sources, including nuclear power, as part of its efforts to shift from fossil fuels and reduce its carbon footprint. IR has already been working on solar and wind power projects, and now it aims to explore nuclear-powered trains to meet its
APARAJITA WOMEN AND CHILD (WEST BENGAL CRIMINAL LAWS AMENDMENT) BILL, 2024 The West Bengal Assembly has recently passed the Aparajita Women and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, 2024. The bill aims to tackle the alarming rise in violence against women by introducing stringent punishments for crimes such as rape and sexual harassment. It
INDIA-BRAZIL BILATERAL RELATIONS India and Brazil, two emerging global powers, share a robust and multifaceted strategic partnership that has deepened over the years. Their collaboration spans a wide array of sectors, including defence, space, security, technology, and people-to-people ties. Both countries are significant players in global economic forums and have worked together to address global
INDIA-UAE BILATERAL TALKS India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have strengthened their relationship in recent years, marked by a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership aimed at enhancing cooperation across multiple sectors. The latest round of bilateral talks between India’s Prime Minister and the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi in New Delhi has led to the signing
WASTEWATER AND SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT FOR ANTIBIOTIC MANUFACTURING BY WHO The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released "Guidance on wastewater and solid waste management for the manufacturing of antibiotics" to address the rising global threat of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). AMR poses a significant challenge to public health, making many antibiotics ineffective, and this guidance provides
PM SURYA GHAR – MUFT BIJLI YOJANA The PM Surya Ghar – Muft Bijli Yojana, approved by the Union Cabinet in February 2024, is a central initiative aimed at promoting solar rooftop systems for households across India. The scheme's primary goal is to provide free electricity to 1 crore households through solar energy. Recently, the
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GREEN HYDROGEN 2024 (ICGH-2024) The International Conference on Green Hydrogen 2024 (ICGH-2024) held in New Delhi showcased India's commitment to green hydrogen as a crucial part of its energy transition. The Prime Minister, addressing the conference, emphasised the importance of international collaboration to scale up green hydrogen production, reduce costs, and promote
LOKPAL'S INQUIRY WING The Lokpal, India's anti-corruption ombudsman, was created to investigate corruption allegations against public servants. Recently, the Lokpal established an Inquiry Wing to handle preliminary investigations into offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. This move aims to strengthen the country's fight against corruption by providing a structured and independent mechanism for
JUTE INDUSTRY IN INDIA Jute is a natural fiber primarily grown in India and Bangladesh, often referred to as the "Golden Fiber" due to its economic importance. It is a bast fiber, similar to flax and hemp, and has been traditionally cultivated in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent, with West Bengal being the
SURROGACY AND ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGIES (ART) IN INDIA The legal landscape around surrogacy and assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in India has been evolving, with the introduction of the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act and the Assisted Reproductive Technologies (Regulation) Act in 2021. These laws focus on regulating surrogacy and ART procedures, with a particular emphasis on banning
URBAN FLOODING Urban flooding has emerged as a serious challenge in India, with many states witnessing extreme rainfall events exceeding 20% of normal averages this monsoon season. The increasing intensity of these weather patterns is largely due to the ongoing climate crisis. Over 64% of Indian sub-districts have experienced a rise in heavy rainfall days
LEGAL FRAMEWORK REGARDING RAPE IN INDIA The rise in rape cases across India has sparked urgent discussions about the need for comprehensive legal reforms, stricter punishments, and societal changes to combat sexual violence. Addressing the issue requires both legal mechanisms and shifts in social behaviour to ensure the safety and dignity of women in the
TEA INDUSTRY IN INDIA The tea industry in India, a vital part of its agricultural sector, has been facing significant challenges due to climate change, policy reforms, and fluctuating demand. Recent extreme weather events have adversely affected tea production, particularly in Assam and West Bengal, leading to an increase in domestic prices. This situation calls
DECARBONIZATION OF THE STEEL SECTOR The steel industry is one of the largest contributors to global carbon emissions, making its decarbonization a critical step in mitigating climate change. As India is the second-largest steel producer, the Ministry of Steel has begun exploring funding strategies and policy reforms to transition toward green steel production. This includes
SOLAR STRATEGIES India's solar ambitions have expanded significantly, demonstrated by the recent REINVEST meeting in Gandhinagar, which attracted investment proposals worth USD 386 billion. The country aims to achieve 570 GW of solar power capacity by 2030, exceeding its global commitment of 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity. However, to fully realize its estimated solar potential
PRADHAN MANTRI JANJATIYA UNNAT GRAM ABHIYAN (PMJUGA) The Union Cabinet recently approved the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PMJUGA) to improve the socio-economic conditions of tribal communities. This centrally sponsored scheme focuses on enhancing the welfare of tribal families in tribal-majority villages and aspirational districts by addressing gaps in basic infrastructure, education, health, and
SUPREME COURT RULING ON CHILD PORNOGRAPHY UNDER THE POCSO ACT, 2012 The Supreme Court of India recently ruled that possessing or watching sexually explicit content involving minors is a punishable offence under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. This judgment emphasizes the illegality of child pornography, even if the material is
RACIAL INEQUALITY IN POST-APARTHEID SOUTH AFRICA AND BLACK ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT POLICY Even after the end of apartheid three decades ago, South Africa continues to grapple with significant racial inequalities, particularly in the economic sphere. Despite efforts like the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policy, the country's economy remains divided along racial lines. This has sparked ongoing
PLASTIC WASTE CRISIS IN THE HIMALAYAN REGION The Himalayan region, renowned for its pristine landscapes and ecological significance, is grappling with a rising plastic waste crisis. Since 2018, the "Himalayan Cleanup (THC)" initiative has united volunteers annually to not only clean waste from the area but also to track its sources through detailed audits. This
8th INDIA WATER WEEK (IWW) 2024 The 8th India Water Week (IWW) 2024 was inaugurated by the President of India in New Delhi, organized under the Ministry of Jal Shakti. This significant international event serves as a platform for discussions and collaboration on water resource management, emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices in addressing water-related
WORLD TOURISM DAY 2024 World Tourism Day is an annual event celebrated globally on September 27th to raise awareness about the social, cultural, and economic significance of tourism. In 2024, the theme “Tourism and Peace” was adopted, emphasizing how tourism fosters cross-cultural understanding, promotes peace, and contributes to global stability. By encouraging dialogue and cultural
SUPREME COURT RULING ON PMLA AND BAIL: A LANDMARK JUDGMENT The Supreme Court of India recently delivered a significant ruling that addressed the misuse of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, especially regarding prolonged pretrial detention. The court criticized the use of the law as a tool to keep the accused in jail
NATIONAL MISSION FOR CLEAN GANGA (NMCG) The Ganga River holds immense cultural, religious, and environmental importance for India. It is not only a vital water source for millions of people but also central to India's spiritual and social heritage. However, rapid urbanization, industrialization, and population growth have severely polluted the river. To address this, the
ANNUAL SURVEY OF INDUSTRIES (ASI) REPORT 2022-23 The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) recently published the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) for 2022-23. This report provides crucial data about the manufacturing sector's recovery and growth following the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The survey was conducted from November 2023 to June 2024
NAMASTE SCHEME: ADDRESSING MANUAL SCAVENGING IN INDIA The National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem (NAMASTE) scheme is a collaborative effort by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in India. Its goal is to eliminate the dehumanising practice of manual scavenging and improve the safety
TIRUPATI LADDU CONTROVERSY AND GOVERNMENT CONTROL OF HINDU TEMPLES The recent issue of adulterated ghee in the Tirupati laddu, a sacred offering at the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, has reignited debates over government control of Hindu temples. Many argue that temples should be managed by the religious community rather than the government. This controversy reflects a
