INDIA’S PRIME MINISTER’S VISIT TO UKRAINE India's Prime Minister recently made a historic visit to Ukraine, marking the first such trip by an Indian head of state since Ukraine's independence in 1991. This visit aimed to strengthen bilateral relations, especially in areas of defence, trade, and humanitarian assistance. The visit holds particular importance given the

INDIA, AFRICA CAN DOUBLE TRADE TO $200 BILLION India has unveiled an ambitious plan to double its exports to African countries to USD 200 billion by 2030, as revealed at the 19th India-Africa Business Conclave in New Delhi, organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). This strategic initiative aims to strengthen economic ties between

UNIFIED PENSION SCHEME The Union Cabinet has approved the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS), designed to provide government employees with an assured pension after retirement. The scheme is scheduled to come into effect on 1st April 2025, shifting central government employees from the current National Pension System (NPS) to the UPS. This new pension framework offers

PRADHAN MANTRI JAN-DHAN YOJANA (PMJDY) The Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) was launched on August 28, 2014, as a flagship financial inclusion initiative of the Government of India. Its primary objective is to provide affordable financial services like banking, credit, insurance, and pensions to all citizens, especially the underprivileged. Now, as it completes a decade,

NATURAL RUBBER SHORTAGE IN INDIA India is currently grappling with a significant shortage of natural rubber (NR), with domestic production falling short of demand by around 550,000 tonnes. Despite efforts to increase production, the gap between supply and consumption continues to widen, impacting various industries and contributing to higher import dependency. Causes of Natural Rubber

INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND EUROPEAN COLONISATION The colonisation of Indigenous peoples by Europeans led to significant upheaval, loss of land, and cultural disruption across various continents. Indigenous Peoples Affected by European Colonisation Māori in New Zealand Colonisation Impact: European arrival in 1769, marked by Captain James Cook, transformed New Zealand from a Māori-dominated society to one

INDIA TO INTRODUCE REPAIRABILITY INDEX FOR ELECTRONICS TO COMBAT E-WASTE CRISIS The Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution recently hosted a National Workshop on the Right to Repair Framework for the Mobile and Electronic sectors. A significant highlight of the event was the proposed launch of

DE-HYPHENATING RICE AND WHEAT PRODUCTION Policymakers are now advocating for de-hyphenating the production and policy approaches towards rice and wheat. This is due to differences in their production patterns, consumption trends, and challenges posed by climate change. While India enjoys surplus rice production, wheat is facing a deficit due to increasing demand and fluctuating production

GOVERNMENT’S EFFORTS FOR LGBTQIA+ INCLUSIVITY The Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE) has initiated a public consultation process to enhance inclusivity for the LGBTQIA+ community. This move follows key actions by the Government of India in response to directives from the Supreme Court (SC) in 2023 to protect queer rights and clarify their entitlements.

DISASTER MANAGEMENT (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2024 The Indian government recently introduced the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Lok Sabha to make significant changes to the existing Disaster Management Act, 2005. The amendment aims to strengthen disaster response mechanisms, improve coordination, and decentralize disaster management. However, it has sparked debates regarding the increased centralization of

PEACE AGREEMENT BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND INSURGENT GROUPS IN TRIPURA The Central Government, in collaboration with the state government of Tripura, recently signed a peace agreement with two major insurgent groups—National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) and the All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF). This agreement aims to end a 35-year-long insurgency, promote stability, and foster development

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

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'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

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

SANCHI STUPA AND THE REPLICA OF THE EAST GATE IN GERMANY The Sanchi Stupa is one of India's oldest stone structures and a significant monument of Buddhist art and architecture. Recently, India's External Affairs Minister visited the replica of the East Gate of Sanchi Stupa in Berlin, Germany, which stands as a testimony to the

RESTATEMENT OF VALUES OF JUDICIAL LIFE The recent visit of the Prime Minister of India to the Chief Justice of India’s residence has sparked a debate, especially in light of the "Restatement of Values of Judicial Life" established by the Supreme Court in 1997. This code is meant to preserve the independence and integrity of

PREVENTIVE DETENTION IN INDIA Preventive detention in India is a contentious issue due to its potential clash with personal liberty and democratic principles. While preventive detention laws are designed to protect national security and public order, they also pose the risk of being misused, limiting fundamental rights. Recent judicial decisions, like the Jaseela Shaji vs

DELHI'S WINTER ACTION PLAN Delhi's air pollution problem worsens during winter, leading to severe health and environmental concerns.  To tackle this, the Delhi government launched a 21-point winter action plan focusing on real-time pollution monitoring, addressing key pollution sources, and emergency measures. The plan seeks to control air pollution through various means such as drone

EMERGENCY PROVISIONS IMPACT CENTRE-STATE RELATIONS The recent violence in Manipur has reignited a critical debate on Centre-State relations, especially regarding the role of the Centre in addressing internal crises within a state. The use of emergency provisions, particularly Articles 355 and 356, has come under focus. These provisions in the Indian Constitution empower the Centre

INDIA-CHINA BORDER DISENGAGEMENT ALONG THE LAC: RECENT DEVELOPMENTS The India-China border, particularly along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh, has been a long-standing source of tension. While progress has been made in reducing military confrontation, several areas remain contentious. Recent discussions between high-level officials from both sides have aimed at de-escalating the situation,

ROLE OF FOOD BANKS IN ADDRESSING FOOD WASTE AND MITIGATING CLIMATE CHANGE Food banks play a critical role in addressing food insecurity by redistributing surplus food to those in need. They also contribute significantly to mitigating climate change by reducing food waste, which, when left to decompose in landfills, produces harmful greenhouse gases like methane.

NEWLY APPROVED SPACE PROJECTS The Union Cabinet of India recently approved four major space missions to be executed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). These missions, including Chandrayaan-4, the Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM), the Bhartiya Antriksh Station (BAS), and the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), mark significant steps in India’s expanding space exploration endeavors.

FATF MUTUAL EVALUATION REPORT ON INDIA (2023) The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) recently released its Mutual Evaluation Report on India, highlighting the country’s substantial progress in combating illicit finance. The report examines how effectively India has implemented anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CFT) measures, identifying areas of strength and those requiring improvement. While

WHITE REVOLUTION 2.0: EMPOWERING INDIA'S DAIRY SECTOR White Revolution 2.0 is a government initiative aimed at boosting milk production, empowering women farmers, and tackling malnutrition in India. It builds on the success of the original White Revolution, also known as ‘Operation Flood’, launched in 1970 by Dr. Verghese Kurien, which transformed India from a milk-deficient

6TH QUAD SUMMIT The Quad, or Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, is an informal strategic alliance between Australia, India, Japan, and the United States. It aims to promote a stable, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. Initially formed in response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the Quad was formally established in 2007 but became dormant until its

METHANE EMISSIONS AND THEIR IMPACT ON CLIMATE CHANGE Methane (CH₄) emissions are rapidly increasing and pose a significant threat to achieving the climate targets set by the Paris Agreement. While carbon dioxide (CO₂) has long dominated climate discussions, methane—a much more powerful greenhouse gas (GHG)—is increasingly becoming a focal point. Tackling methane emissions offers a

WITNESS PROTECTION SCHEME, 2018 Witnesses are integral to the criminal justice system as they help ensure a fair trial by providing crucial evidence. However, in India, witnesses often face intimidation, threats, and even harm, leading to their reluctance in testifying. To address these concerns, the Witness Protection Scheme, 2018 was introduced. Despite being an important

SHIPBUILDING MISSION India's shipbuilding industry has seen significant focus in recent years, driven by the "Make in India" initiative and the government's goal of becoming a global maritime hub by 2047. The Shipbuilding Mission aims to propel India into the ranks of leading maritime nations through a combination of strategic planning, investment, and international collaboration.

AIR QUALITY LIFE INDEX (AQLI) 2024 The Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) recently released the Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) 2024, highlighting critical issues regarding air pollution and its impact on global health. The report highlights the severe consequences of poor air quality, particularly in countries like India, where a significant

INDIA’S PROPOSALS ON FISHERIES SUBSIDIES AT THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION (WTO) India has been actively advocating for regulations on fisheries subsidies at the World Trade Organization (WTO) to address unsustainable fishing practices and protect the livelihoods of small fishermen. The global concern over overfishing and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing has led to discussions

REGULATIONS REGARDING THE USE OF CBI IN STATE INVESTIGATIONS The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) plays a crucial role in handling significant and complex criminal cases in India. However, the decision to transfer an investigation from state police to the CBI is not taken lightly. Recent judicial rulings have emphasized the need for explicit and

GREENHUSHING: A GROWING TREND IN CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY COMMUNICATION In recent years, many companies have been certified as carbon neutral, taking significant steps towards environmental sustainability. However, despite these achievements, several firms choose not to advertise their green credentials or future sustainability goals. This practice, known as "greenhushing," refers to the under-reporting or intentional withholding of

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF AWARENESS OF FOOD LOSS AND WASTE (IDAFLW) 2023: IMPORTANCE FOR FOOD SECURITY AND ENVIRONMENT The world marks the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW) annually on 29th September to highlight the serious issues surrounding food loss and waste. According to the 2023 Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) report,

MODIFIED PARBATI-KALISINDH-CHAMBAL EASTERN RAJASTHAN CANAL PROJECT (PKC-ERCP) The Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (PKC-ERCP) represents a crucial inter-state collaboration between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh aimed at addressing severe water scarcity issues in Rajasthan. This project is a component of the broader National Perspective Plan (NPP), which seeks to interlink rivers across India for enhanced

SOCIAL MEDIA REGULATIONS FOR CHILDREN: GLOBAL INITIATIVES With the rise of digital platforms, social media has become a prominent part of children's lives. While it provides opportunities for learning and socialization, it also raises concerns regarding children's safety online. The Australian Prime Minister recently proposed a plan to set a minimum age for social media