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
MAIZE-BASED ETHANOL AND INDIA'S SHIFT FROM EXPORTER TO IMPORTER India has been pushing to increase ethanol production, particularly from maize (corn), to achieve its fuel blending goals. This drive has led to a significant transformation in India’s maize industry, turning the country from Asia’s top maize exporter to a net importer. This shift has impacted
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
SAMAGRA SHIKSHA FUND DELAY: A PUNISHMENT FOR ROLE-MODEL STATES TOPIC: (GS2) INDIAN SOCIETY – SOURCE: THE HINDU The Samagra Shiksha scheme (SSA) is a comprehensive program for school education in India. However, the Centre's decision to withhold funds to Opposition-ruled states has raised concerns. Key Findings: Political Motivation: The Centre's decision to withhold funds is
MPOX OUTBREAK AND VACCINE DELAYS TOPIC: (GS3) SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY – SOURCE: INDIAN EXPRESS The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the epicentre of the global mpox outbreak, faced significant challenges in accessing vaccines. Despite the World Health Organization (WHO) declaring mpox a global health emergency, the DRC and other African countries experienced delays in receiving
NATIONAL BLOCKCHAIN FRAMEWORK (NBF) The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) recently introduced the National Blockchain Framework (NBF) to improve digital governance in India using blockchain technology. This initiative is a part of the government's broader digital push, aiming to increase transparency, security, and trust in public services. Alongside the NBF, several important blockchain-related
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
‘GROWTH OF CREDIT OUTPACING DEPOSITS CAN TIGHTEN LIQUIDITY’ TOPIC: (GS3) ECONOMY– SOURCE: THE HINDU The Indian banking system is facing a potential liquidity crunch as credit growth outpaces deposit growth. A recent survey conducted by FICCI-IBA highlights the challenges faced by banks in raising lower-cost deposits to maintain their credit growth. Key Findings Credit Growth
INDIA'S CONTRIBUTION TO GLOBAL PLASTIC POLLUTION A recent study published in Nature has revealed that India is the largest contributor to global plastic pollution, accounting for nearly 20% of the world's total plastic waste. This issue is fueled by factors such as rapid population growth, inadequate waste management, and the prevalence of open burning. The
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
NATIONAL SICKLE CELL ANAEMIA ELIMINATION MISSION TOPIC: (GS3) SCIENCE AND TECH – SOURCE: THE HINDU Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2023, the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission aims to eradicate sickle cell disease as a public health problem in India by 2047. The mission addresses the significant challenges posed by the genetic
TAPI PIPELINE: BOOSTING REGIONAL CONNECTIVITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Afghanistan is set to begin construction on the long-awaited Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline, a landmark project valued at USD 10 billion. This initiative aims to enhance energy connectivity across the region and drive economic progress. About TAPI Pipeline Introduction: The TAPI pipeline is a strategic infrastructure project designed
