INDIA AND THE UNITED NATIONS: A FOCUS ON UN DAY United Nations Day is celebrated on October 24th each year to commemorate the establishment of the UN Charter in 1945. This day highlights the UN's objectives and achievements, reminding the world of the importance of international cooperation in promoting peace and security. What is the

ELECTORAL FREEBIES IN INDIA The topic of electoral freebies in India is a contentious issue that raises questions about ethical governance, fiscal responsibility, and the long-term impact on society. A recent survey shows mixed opinions among urban voters regarding freebies, especially in light of rising debates about their sustainability. Prime Minister criticism of the "revdi

INDIA-GERMANY INTERGOVERNMENTAL CONSULTATIONS India and Germany share a significant partnership marked by cooperation in various sectors. Recently, Prime Minister Modi and Chancellor Scholz co-chaired the 7th round of India-Germany Intergovernmental Consultations (IGC) in New Delhi. Key Highlights of the Meeting Focus on India Document: Germany released the "Focus on India" document, which serves as a

ISRO AND DBT COLLABORATION FOR SPACE EXPERIMENTS The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) recently signed an agreement to develop and conduct scientific experiments for the upcoming Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS). Planned for completion between 2028 and 2035, BAS will be India's own space station, fostering advancements in space technology

WMO’S GREENHOUSE GAS (GHG) BULLETIN 2023 The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) recently released its annual Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Bulletin for 2023, detailing the latest analysis on GHG levels from its Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) program. This report highlights the ongoing rise in GHG concentrations, underlining the urgent need for effective climate action. Greenhouse Gases (GHGs)

ASIA-PACIFIC CLIMATE REPORT 2024 The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has published its Asia–Pacific Climate Report 2024, focusing on the economic effects of climate change in the Asia-Pacific region. The report highlights severe risks to regional GDP, labor productivity, and ecosystems if greenhouse gas emissions remain high. It also emphasizes the urgent need for climate action,

COAL INDIA LIMITED (CIL) Coal India Limited (CIL) is a central government-owned company that plays a critical role in India's coal mining and production sector. Established to manage and produce coal, CIL has grown to be the world's largest coal producer, fulfilling a vital need in the country's energy infrastructure. Key Facts about Coal India

RURAL WAGE STAGNATION IN INDIA Despite India's economic and agricultural growth over recent years, rural wages have shown minimal increase, reflecting a paradox where economic progress has not translated into higher incomes for rural workers. From 2019-20 to 2023-24, the economy and agricultural sector grew at average annual rates of 4.6% and 4.2%, respectively, but

FIRST ADVANCE ESTIMATES FOR KHARIF CROP PRODUCTION 2024-25: HIGHLIGHTS AND INITIATIVES The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare recently released the First Advance Estimates for the Kharif crop production for 2024-25. This report demonstrates a record-breaking achievement in foodgrain and oilseed production, highlighting the government’s increasing reliance on technology and collaborative planning to boost agricultural

SUPREME COURT VERDICT IN PROPERTY OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION V. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA (2024) The Supreme Court’s 2024 verdict in the Property Owners Association v. State of Maharashtra case addresses the limits on government authority over private property, especially concerning resources deemed vital for public welfare. This judgment interprets Article 39(b) and Article 300A, highlighting the balance

IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING STATES (SIDS) Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are among the most vulnerable nations to climate change impacts. Despite the establishment of a Loss and Damage Fund at COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, climate financing for these nations remains inadequate, especially from wealthier, high-emission countries. SIDS face intensified

ON IMPROVING WIND ENERGY GENERATION In August 2024, the Tamil Nadu government launched the "Repowering, Refurbishment, and Life Extension Policy" aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the state's wind energy industry. This policy targets the aging wind turbines in the state, aiming to replace old ones or extend their operational life. However, wind energy producers

NANO-COATED FERTILISERS Nano-coated fertilisers represent a groundbreaking advancement in agricultural technology, particularly in nutrient delivery. Recently, Indian scientists developed nano-coated muriate of potash, a form of nano fertiliser, aimed at enhancing the nutrient use efficiency (NUE) of traditional fertilisers. These nano-coated fertilisers not only support efficient nutrient absorption but also improve crop yield, soil fertility,

THE INTER-STATE COUNCIL: A TOOL FOR STRENGTHENING COOPERATIVE FEDERALISM IN INDIA The Inter-State Council (ISC) is a vital institution established to foster cooperation between the central government and state governments, supporting India’s federal structure. Recently, the ISC was reconstituted with the Prime Minister as its chairperson, emphasizing a renewed focus on cooperative federalism and harmonious

OECD’S AGRICULTURAL POLICY MONITORING REPORT The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), a global forum supporting economic growth, releases an annual Agricultural Policy Monitoring and Evaluation report to assess agricultural support across 54 nations. The 2024 report highlights that India effectively taxed its farmers around $120 billion in 2023, the highest among evaluated countries,

SUSTAINABILITY IN INDIA'S AGRICULTURAL SECTOR India's rising agricultural exports, especially tea and sugar, are driving economic growth. However, this surge brings challenges, including environmental degradation, resource mismanagement, and labour exploitation. Sustainable agriculture ensures long-term productivity while balancing economic, ecological, and social needs. What Does Sustainability in Agriculture Mean? Economic Sustainability Sustainability is more than economic

GUJARAT’S DINOSAUR FOSSIL PARK AND THE UNESCO GEOPARK TAG The Geological Survey of India is working to secure UNESCO Global Geopark status for the Dinosaur Fossil Park and Museum in Raiyoli village, Gujarat. This recognition could highlight the site's rich paleontological significance while promoting tourism, education, and sustainable development. Key Features of Gujarat’s Dinosaur Fossil

ANDHRA PRADESH’S NATURAL FARMING MODEL: A FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), in collaboration with the Andhra Pradesh government, has analyzed the state’s natural farming model and highlighted its potential to revolutionize agriculture. By promoting sustainable practices, it is expected to double employment opportunities for farmers and significantly improve their incomes

ALL-INDIA SERVICES (CONDUCT) RULES, 1968 The All-India Services (Conduct) Rules, 1968 govern the ethical and professional behavior of civil servants in India, including IAS, IPS, and Indian Forest Service officers. These rules aim to ensure integrity, impartiality, and adherence to constitutional values. Recent suspensions of IAS officers in Kerala for misconduct on social media and

INDIGENOUS CULTURAL HERITAGE AND TRIBAL DEVELOPMENT: BALANCING TRADITION WITH MODERN GOVERNANCE Preserving the cultural heritage of Indigenous communities while enabling them to participate in modern governance is a significant global challenge. Recent events, like the haka protest by Maori lawmakers in New Zealand against the Treaty Principles Bill, highlight the ongoing debate over protecting Indigenous

RETAIL INFLATION IN OCTOBER TOUCHES 6.21%, CROSSES RBI TOLERANCE CEILING OF 6% In October 2024, retail inflation, as reflected by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), rose to 6.2%. Food inflation, monitored through the Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI), saw a significant increase, reaching 10.87%, its highest level since August 2023. This inflation rate has breached

G20 RIO DE JANEIRO SUMMIT The 19th G20 Summit was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, under the theme "Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet." The summit brought together global leaders to address key challenges, including sustainable development, climate change, energy transition, digital infrastructure, and global health. India, an active participant, highlighted its

GLOBAL SOIL CONFERENCE (GSC) 2024: ENHANCING SOIL HEALTH FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE The Global Soil Conference (GSC) 2024 was recently held in New Delhi, emphasizing the critical role of soil health in ensuring food security, mitigating climate change, and supporting ecosystem services. The event brought together global experts to discuss strategies for sustainable soil management.

GLOBAL SOIL CONFERENCE (GSC) 2024: ENHANCING SOIL HEALTH FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE The Global Soil Conference (GSC) 2024 was recently held in New Delhi, emphasizing the critical role of soil health in ensuring food security, mitigating climate change, and supporting ecosystem services. The event brought together global experts to discuss strategies for sustainable soil management.

COP29 AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE The 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) concluded recently in Baku, Azerbaijan. Representatives from nearly 200 countries participated, focusing on agreements to tackle global climate issues. Key Highlights of COP29 New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG) Objective: Triple climate

26/11 MUMBAI ATTACKS The 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, executed by the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, targeted key locations in the city, including the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Nariman House, Oberoi Trident, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Railway Station. These attacks revealed significant gaps in India's security systems, leading to major reforms in counter-terrorism strategies.      Security Challenges Exposed During

INDIA SIGNS THE FINAL ACT OF THE RIYADH DESIGN LAW TREATY The adoption of the Design Law Treaty (DLT) at the Diplomatic Conference in Riyadh by World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) members, including India, is a significant step in enhancing the protection of industrial designs. This treaty simplifies procedures and strengthens international intellectual property (IP)

GLOBAL CRISIS OF FEMICIDE Femicide, the intentional killing of women and girls due to their gender, is a grave violation of human rights driven by discrimination, unequal power dynamics, and harmful societal norms. On International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (25th November), a report titled "Femicides in 2023: Global Estimates of Intimate

ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES (EVMS) AND VOTER VERIFIABLE PAPER AUDIT TRAIL (VVPAT) The Supreme Court recently dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking the return of ballot papers over Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) systems. The court emphasized that EVMs are questioned mainly after electoral defeats and upheld their security

EMPOWERING WOMEN IN GOVERNANCE: CHALLENGES AND REFORMS Women’s participation in governance is vital for achieving gender equality and strengthening democracy. However, despite constitutional provisions and progressive legislation, women leaders in India face numerous challenges that limit their autonomy and effectiveness. Recognizing this, the Supreme Court of India has called for structural reforms to empower women