Special Article

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT (SWM) CESS Solid Waste Management (SWM) cess is a user fee or charge levied by Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in India to fund waste management services. It is a form of tax imposed to cover the costs associated with waste collection, disposal, and processing. About SWM Cess Definition: A fee charged by

HINDU KUSH HIMALAYAS  The Hindu Kush Himalayas (HKH) are a critical mountain range that stretches approximately 3,500 kilometres across eight countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, Myanmar, and Pakistan.   These mountains are often referred to as the "water towers of Asia" due to their role as the source of ten major river systems, including

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN INDIA-SRI LANKA RELATIONS  India and Sri Lanka have a long-standing relationship rooted in shared cultural, religious, and historical ties.   Recent meetings between the Indian External Affairs Minister and the Sri Lankan President have focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in various sectors.  Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC)  Joint Commissioning: The MRCC was built

HEATWAVES AS NOTIFIED DISASTERS  India's recent heatwave crisis has sparked a debate about officially recognizing heatwaves as notified disasters under the Disaster Management (DM) Act of 2005.   This recognition would ensure more focused resources and actions to tackle the devastating impacts of heatwaves, which are periods of abnormally high temperatures occurring during the summer season. 

POLITICAL REPRESENTATION AND FOREST CONSERVATION IN INDIA'S SCHEDULED AREAS  A recent study has investigated the connection between political representation and forest conservation in India's Scheduled Areas. The focus is on the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) and its impact on forest management by Scheduled Tribes (STs).  About the Study  Objective: To analyze how

HYDROPOWER GENERATION IN INDIA  Hydropower generation in India plays a critical role in the country's energy mix, contributing significantly to its power generation capabilities. However, recent trends indicate challenges and declines in hydropower output.  Overview  Declining Generation:  Hydropower generation in India has decreased by 17.33% from 162.05 billion units in FY23 to 133.97 billion units

HINDU KUSH HIMALAYA  The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) has reported record low levels of snow persistence in the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Indus basins.  About ICIMOD  Establishment: Founded in 1983.  Purpose: Works towards a greener, inclusive, and climate-resilient Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH).  Findings of the Report  Global Findings  Amu Darya River Basin: In

ROOFTOP SOLAR PROGRAMME  By March 2024, India achieved an installed rooftop solar (RTS) capacity of 11.87 gigawatts (GW), reflecting a growth of 2.99 GW during 2023-2024.  Government Initiative: The Rooftop Solar Programme was launched in 2014 to promote rooftop solar installations across the country.  About the Rooftop Solar Programme  Launch Year: 2014.  Initial Target: 40

DRUG ABUSE IN INDIA  Drug abuse and trafficking pose significant challenges globally, impacting public health, national security, and socio-economic stability.   In India, these issues are particularly complex due to various factors such as poverty, social influences, and geographical proximity to major drug-producing regions like the Golden Crescent and Golden Triangle.  Addressing these challenges requires comprehensive

SIMLA AGREEMENT AND INDIA-PAKISTAN RELATIONS  The Simla Agreement, signed on 2nd July 1972, marked a significant milestone in the history of India-Pakistan relations, aimed at resolving conflicts arising from the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War.   This agreement, facilitated by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi of India and President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto of Pakistan, sought to establish peace and

FINANCIAL ACTION TASK FORCE (FATF)  The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an intergovernmental organization that sets standards and promotes effective implementation of legal, regulatory, and operational measures to combat money laundering, terrorist financing, and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system. The Mutual Evaluation Report (MER) assesses member countries' compliance

EDUCATION SYSTEM IN INDIA  The education system in India has evolved over centuries, reflecting the country’s rich cultural and historical legacy. In recent times, debates about the structure and governance of education, particularly whether it should be under state or central control, have gained prominence.  History of Education in India  Ancient Period:  Gurukul System: Students