Special Article

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

AYUSHMAN BHARAT DIGITAL MISSION (ABDM) The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) was launched in 2021 as part of the Government of India's efforts to revolutionize the healthcare sector. It aims to create a national digital health ecosystem that enhances the accessibility, efficiency, and transparency of healthcare services across the country. The mission integrates digital health

SUPREME COURT’S OBSERVATION ON MISUSE OF SECTION 498A IPC AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACT Recently, the Supreme Court noted that Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (now part of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) and the Domestic Violence Act of 2005 are often misused. Both laws were introduced to protect women from domestic cruelty and violence,

DRDO’S NEW INITIATIVE - FIVE DEEP-TECH PROJECTS The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is launching a new initiative to advance military technologies in India. This initiative focuses on funding five deep-tech projects, each receiving up to Rs 50 crore. The aim is to enhance India's defence capabilities through indigenisation, reduce dependence on foreign imports,

ROLE OF ULTRA-PROCESSED FOODS AND ADVANCED GLYCATION END PRODUCTS (AGES) IN INDIA'S DIABETES SURGE A recent study published in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition has brought attention to the role of ultra-processed foods and Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) in the rising cases of diabetes in India. This study, funded by the

NATIONAL AGRICULTURE CODE (NAC): A STEP TOWARDS STANDARDIZING INDIAN AGRICULTURE The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is in the process of drafting the National Agriculture Code (NAC) to create comprehensive standards across India’s entire agricultural cycle. Similar to the National Building Code (NBC) and the National Electrical Code (NEC), the NAC aims to provide clear

GROUNDWATER DEPLETION IN NORTHERN INDIA: STUDY BY IIT GANDHINAGAR A recent study by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Gandhinagar has found that shifting approximately 40% of the area currently under rice cultivation to alternative crops could help restore between 60 and 100 cubic kilometers of groundwater in northern India, which has been depleted since

NITI AAYOG - ASSET MONETISATION The recent revision by the NITI Aayog has increased the asset monetisation target for FY 2024-25 by ₹23,000 crore, bringing the total target to ₹1.9 trillion. This is part of the broader National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP), which aims to generate ₹6 trillion by monetising public assets over the four-year period

LIVING PLANET REPORT 2024 The Living Planet Report 2024 by the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) presents a concerning picture of global biodiversity loss. It shows a dramatic decline in wildlife populations, highlighting the urgent need for conservation. The WWF, a leading global conservation organization, uses this report to shed light on the primary threats

WORLD ENERGY OUTLOOK 2024 The International Energy Agency (IEA) released the World Energy Outlook 2024, analyzing key trends in the global energy landscape, including shifts toward clean energy, rising demand, and challenges posed by geopolitical tensions. India’s growing energy needs and its ambitious goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2070 are particularly highlighted. World Energy

MESOPHOTIC CORAL ECOSYSTEMS AND THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry have identified a dual threat to mesophotic coral ecosystems in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. These coral ecosystems are increasingly at risk due to warmer waters from above and exposure to cold waters from below, affecting their health and

CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT ON TROPICAL FORESTS Recent studies reveal that Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) in tropical forests are facing significant changes in temperature due to global warming and climate change. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) aims to protect at least 30% of the world's land by 2030, with a focus on conserving these crucial

IMPACT OF MINIMUM SUPPORT PRICE (MSP) ON INDIAN AGRICULTURE The Minimum Support Price (MSP) is a crucial policy in India's agricultural framework, designed to protect farmers from price fluctuations. Recently, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) announced an increase in MSP for several rabi crops. This decision has reignited discussions about the potential legalization

INDIA'S AGEING AND SHRINKING POPULATION Recently, politicians in Southern India have expressed worries about the ageing and shrinking population. They have proposed laws to encourage more families to have children. An ageing population refers to a demographic trend where the number of individuals aged 65 and older increases compared to the working-age group (15-64 years).

INDIA’S SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY India is making strides to establish itself in the global semiconductor industry, especially with the recent approval of a major $11 billion semiconductor plant project in Gujarat, led by the Tata Group and Taiwan’s Powerchip. This development aligns with India’s goal to be a significant player in the semiconductor sector, essential for

MICROFINANCE INSTITUTIONS (MFIS) Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) play a significant role in promoting financial inclusion, particularly for low-income and marginalized communities. They provide essential financial services to individuals who lack access to traditional banking facilities. What Are Microfinance Institutions? MFIs are specialized financial organizations that offer small loans and other financial services to individuals without access

ATMOSPHERIC RIVERS: IMPACTS OF POLEWARD SHIFTS Recent studies indicate that atmospheric rivers (ARs) have shifted poleward by 6 to 10 degrees over the last 40 years. This shift has significant implications for global weather patterns, contributing to increased droughts in some areas and severe floods in others. What are Atmospheric Rivers? Definition: Atmospheric rivers are

COMBATING MONEY LAUNDERING IN INDIA'S ONLINE GAMING SECTOR The Digital India Foundation (DIF) has released a significant report highlighting the threat of money laundering to the integrity and growth of the Indian online gaming sector. This report outlines the emerging risks, industry growth, and recommendations to tackle these challenges effectively. Key Findings of the Report