Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
Mains Examination: General Studies II: Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies.
Key Points to Ponder:
• What’s the ongoing story– IN AN unprecedented move, Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi Thursday evening dismissed V Senthil Balaji from the Council of Ministers, further straining the relationship between the MK Stalin-led DMK government and the Raj Bhavan. Balaji, who was arrested June 14 by the Enforcement Directorate for an alleged job scam in 2015, is currently in judicial custody in a private hospital after having undergone a heart bypass surgery. Late Thursday night, a source in the Chief Minister’s office said that the state government had received a communication from Raj Bhavan that the Governor’s dismissal order was “on hold” pending legal advice. However, confirmation from Raj Bhavan was awaited.
• Why this is an unprecedented move?
• Once again, Governor R. N. Ravi in the news right now-Why?
• The curious case of Tamil Nadu politics-What is going on between the governor and the state government?
• “Governor” is neither a decorative emblem nor a glorified cipher. His powers are limited but he has an important constitutional role to play in the governance of the state and in strengthening federalism-Analyse the role of the Governor
• Articles 153 to 167 in Part VI of the Constitution deal with the state executive. The state executive consists of what?
• The office of governor has a dual role-Elaborate
• The Governor of a State is appointed by the whom?
• The Constitution lays down certain conditions for the governor’s office-what are those conditions?
• A governor possesses executive, legislative, financial and judicial powers more or less analogous to the President of India-what are these powers?
• A governor appoints the chief minister and other ministers. They also hold office during his pleasure-What is ‘during his pleasure’?
• Can the governor of a State have the power to remove a minister?
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
📍In TN, Gov-govt standoff comes to a head; DMK looks at legal options
📍Despite Supreme Court’s caution on a Governor’s role, Ravi tests the limits
Jet fuel exports to Europe help meet summer rush, set for new record
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Economic and Social Development-Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
Main Examination: General Studies III: Government Budgeting and Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilisation, of resources, growth, development and employment
Key Points to Ponder:
• What’s the ongoing story– India’s export of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) could touch an all-time monthly high in June and the country is likely to be Europe’s biggest source of jet fuel in July, which also marks the peak of the continent’s summer travel season, as per an analysis of data shared by commodity market analytics and intelligence firm Kpler. India’s ATF export volumes so far in June have averaged at a record high of 208,433 barrels per day (bpd). As per Kpler data, the previous peak of 206,871 bpd was in June 2018. More than half of the dispatched ATF volumes from India this month are headed for Europe, where they are likely to arrive in July as the voyage usually takes about a month.
• What is ATF in aviation?
• What kind of impact will ATF prices have on the cost of operations?
• What will be the immediate impact on customers?
• And what will be the impact on the aviation industry?
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
📍Explained: Why flying is about to get 15% — or more — expensive
Background hum of universe heard, Pune astrophysics lab listens in
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.
Mains Examination: General Studies III: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life and Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology
Key Points to Ponder:
• What’s the ongoing story– Eight years after the first-ever detection of gravitational waves, a feat honoured by Nobel Prize for Physics two years later, scientists have now picked up evidence to suggest that a multitude of gravitational waves are ever-present in any area of the universe, their combined effects constantly deforming and re-shaping spacetime, and altering the motion and behaviour of every heavenly body.
• What is gravitational waves?
• Do You Know-Gravitational waves are ripples, or disturbances, produced in the fabric of spacetime by large moving objects, something similar to the ripples produced on the surface of water by a moving boat. The existence of gravitational waves was predicted by Albert Einstein’s general theory of relativity more than a century ago, but its experimental confirmation came only in 2015. After showing, in 1905, that space and time were not independent entities but had to be woven together as spacetime, Einstein had, in his general theory of relativity in 1915, proposed that spacetime was not a mere transparent, inert, static or fixed background to all the events in the universe. Instead, spacetime was flexible and malleable, interacted with matter, was influenced by it, and in turn, influenced the events that take place there. It was like a soft fabric that responds to, and gets deformed by, a heavy object placed on it. In 2015, scientists detected gravitational waves for the first time through LIGO (Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory) detectors. Those waves were produced by the merger of two black holes that took place about 1.3 billion years ago. But scientists contend that such events, mergers of black holes or explosion of stars, keep happening all the time, regularly producing gravitational waves. Even the simple motion of large bodies can produce detectable gravitational waves.
• What creates gravitational waves?
• How do gravitational waves affect Humans?
• ‘Gravitational wave background’-What do you understand by this?
• For Your Information-“A common analogy can be this. When a stone is dropped into a lake, it produces short-lived waves in the water. But when raindrops fall on to the lake, every drop creates a wave. These waves interact with each other, and the disturbance on the surface of the lake is the combined effect of all these individual waves. A floating object on the lake, say a paper boat, would experience, and be affected by, the combined effect of all these waves. Also, compared to a single drop of stone, the disturbance produced by rains is longer-lasting. What is happening in the universe is something similar. Large number of gravitational waves, produced by different events, are constantly deforming spacetime. And all heavenly bodies, like earth, move around under the influence of this combined effect,” said Yashwant Gupta, director of the Pune-based National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA), which is part of the global scientific collaboration behind the latest finding.
• India’s Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory, or LIGO, project-Know the Key features and highlights
• LIGO-India will be located in Hingoli district of Maharashtra-Mark on the Map
• What is General Theory of Relativity?
• What is Special theory of relativity?
• What is the difference between the two theories of relativity?
• E=mc2, equation is theory of special relativity or general theory of relativity?
• What is Newton’s law of gravitation?
• Deficiencies in Newton’s law-What were those?
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
📍Scientists discover that universe has a background ‘hum’
THE EDITORIAL PAGE
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance
Main Examination:
• General Studies II: Indian Constitution—significant provisions etc.
• General Studies II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Key Points to Ponder:
• What’s the ongoing story-Pratap Bhanu Mehta writes: The sole purpose of enacting a Uniform Civil Code ought to be the creation of a just society, guided by the constitutional values of freedom, equality and dignity of the individual. Given this government’s track record, there is a real danger that the core normative issues will be overshadowed by divisive rhetoric, nationalist passion and conservative obscurantism. But both prudence and principle require taking the UCC seriously and working to ensure that it lives up to its promise of justice. For that, we will have to set aside some encrusted alibis for not engaging with the issue.
• What is Uniform Civil Code?
• Article 44 of the Indian Constitution and Uniform Civil Code-What is the ongoing debate?
• Do You Know-A UCC would provide for one law for the entire country, applicable to all religious communities, in their personal matters such as marriage, divorce, inheritance, adoption etc. Currently, Indian personal law is fairly complex, with each religion adhering to its own specific laws. Separate laws govern Hindus including Sikhs, Jains and Buddhist, Muslims, Christians, and followers of other religions.
• What does the Constitution say about a Uniform Civil Code?
• What was the debate in the Constituent Assembly?
• What has the Supreme Court said?
• What exactly the 22nd Law Commission of India said on Uniform Civil Code?
• Why has the Opposition opposed the move?
• And, what exactly the 21st Law Commission of India said on Uniform Civil Code?
• 21st Law Commission of India on UCC and 22nd Law Commission of India on Uniform Civil Code-Compare and Contrast
• “It is often said, and the Law Commission repeats this, that one reason we cannot have a UCC is because different traditions have different conceptions of marriage”-Elaborate
• “Diversity in India has become synonymous with community power over individuals”-How far you agree with the same?
• “Majoritarianism is a palpable threat in Indian politics”-What this sentence mean?
• Does the reform meet the benchmark of freedom and equality?
• Does it avoid imposing any burdens on any community that do not stem from those considerations?
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
EXPLAINED
How NRF aims to boost research in higher educational institutes
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.
Mains Examination: General Studies II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Key Points to Ponder:
• What’s the ongoing story– If implemented as envisaged, the National Research Foundation — whose creation was approved by the government Wednesday — has the potential to address most pressing issues in Indian science and significantly improve India’s research output. K VijayRaghavan, former Principal Scientific Advisor to the central government, said it could be a “major landmark” for science in India. The NRF is supposed to fund, promote and mentor research in higher educational institutions, but these are only the basic objectives. There are a number of other ways in which it is expected to improve the environment of scientific research in the country.
• What is National Research Foundation?
• What is the aim of National Research Foundation?
• What is the purpose of National research Foundation?
• For Your Information- The core objective of the NRF would be to sharply increase the funding available to scientific research in the country, both from government and private sources. India’s spending on research and development has remained below 0.7 per cent of its GDP, when even countries like Egypt or Brazil spend more. Advanced competitors, like the United States, China, Israel, Japan or South Korea, spend anywhere between 2 to 5 per cent of their respective GDPs on scientific research. One of the main objectives of the NRF is to get colleges and universities involved in scientific research. The NRF detailed project report had pointed out that less than one per cent of the nearly 40,000 institutions of higher learning in the country were currently engaged in research. NRF plans to address this lacuna in multiple ways.
• How much does India barely spend on research and development?
• Do You Know-India barely spends 0.7 per cent of its GDP on research and development, which is extremely low compared to many other countries. In fact, the gross expenditure on R&D declined from 0.84 per cent in 2008 to about 0.69 per cent in 2018, the last year for which confirmed figures are available. In comparison, the US spent 2.83 per cent, China spent 2.14 per cent, and Israel spent 4.9 per cent. Even Brazil, Malaysia and Egypt spend more of their GDP on research. The proposal for an NRF was first floated in the public domain by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 3, 2019 during his address to the Indian Science Congress. The NRF found a second mention on January 20 that year during a joint session of Parliament, and then later in the Finance Minister’s speech during the Budget Session in July 2019. The creation of NRF was also one of the key recommendations of the National Education Policy 2020.
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
📍National Research Foundation gets Centre nod, Rs 50,000 crore over 5 years for R&D
📍What is National Research Foundation?
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Economic and Social Development-Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
Mains Examination:
• General Studies II: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
• General Studies III: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc.
Key Points to Ponder:
• What’s the ongoing story-The expansive new US-India technology partnership forged during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington DC identifies technology as the new geopolitical frontier. A key element of the partnership is the resolve to diversify the global semiconductor supply chain, which is at the centre of the rivalry between the world’s number 1 and 2 economic powers, the US and China.
• What is the supply chain for semiconductors?
• What are the steps in the semiconductor supply chain?
• Which nation holds the distinction of being the primary source of semiconductors on a global scale?
• “A key element of the partnership is the resolve to diversify the global semiconductor supply chain, which is at the centre of the rivalry between the world’s number 1 and 2 economic powers, the US and China”-What do you understand by this?
• What is semiconductor?
• What is the most basic component of a semiconductor chip?
• Semiconductors are the foundation of nearly every modern electronic gadget. Where does India stand in the semiconductor industry?
• The Government of India has undertaken several initiatives to promote electronics manufacturing-Know the important schemes
• What are the current challenges of the semiconductor industry in India?
• What is Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET)?
• What is the significance of iCET?
• For Your Information-Also at the 2022 summit in Tokyo, President Biden and Prime Minister Modi announced the US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET). In January this year, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and his US counterpart Jake Sullivan met in Washington to discuss the broad areas for cooperation under iCET. The initiatives listed in the US-India joint statement in the technology basket during the Modi visit flow from the January meeting during which the two countries agreed to enhance bilateral collaboration on resilient supply chains, support the development of a semiconductor design, manufacturing, and fabrication ecosystem in India, and promote development of a skilled workforce for the industry. A task force set up jointly by the US Semiconductor Industry Association and India Electronics Semiconductor Association together with the government’s Semiconductor Mission was to make a “readiness assessment” to identify “near term opportunities and facilitate long-term strategic development of complementary semiconductor ecosystems”. The task force would also flag opportunities and challenges for India’s role in the global semiconductor value chain.
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
THE WORLD
World Bank approves $700-mn aid for Lanka, biggest since IMF deal
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.
Mains Examination: General Studies II: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
Key Points to Ponder:
• What’s the ongoing story-The World Bank approved $700 million in budgetary and welfare support for Sri Lanka on Thursday, the biggest funding tranche for the crisis-hit island nation since an International Monetary Fund (IMF) deal in March. About $500 million of the funds will be allocated for budgetary support while the remaining $200 million will be for welfare support earmarked for those worst hit by the crisis.
• What is the role of World Bank in the economic development of a country?
• What are the 5 branches of World Bank?
• How does World Bank provide assistance to the countries?
• What is the role of World Bank in the economy of any country?
• How did the World Bank respond to the Sri Lankan economic crisis?
• What type of support does the World Bank provide?
• The World Bank Group’s crisis response comprises three stages and focuses on four main areas-what are those?
• Does World Bank give grants to countries?
• Does World Bank give loans to countries?
• What is IMF?
• What is the difference between IMF and World Bank Group?
• Do You Know-At the end of WWII, delegates from 44 countries met in Bretton Woods to agree upon a series of new rules for international cooperation and reconstruction. This led to the creation of the IMF and World Bank Group (WBG). The latter was responsible for providing financial assistance for the post-war reconstruction and economic development of the less developed countries. The role evolved over the years and as of date, the WBG comprises the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) which lends to low-and middle-income (LICs and MICs) countries, the International Development Association (IDA) that lends to LICs, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) that lends to the private sector, the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) that encourages private companies to invest in foreign countries and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) for dispute settlement. While the WBG is the oldest and the largest MDB, over the years, several other MDBs and regional development banks (RDBs) have emerged. Today, there are about 15-16 prominent MDBs and RDBs.
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
📍What Is the World Bank, and What Does It Do?
Japan, South Korea revive $10-bn currency swap deal
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.
Mains Examination: General Studies II: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
Key Points to Ponder:
• What’s the ongoing story-Japan and South Korea agreed Thursday to revive a currency swap agreement for times of crisis, in the latest sign of warming ties as the countries work to smooth over historical antagonisms. Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki announced the agreement after meeting with his South Korean counterpart, Choo Kyungho. It was the first time the two countries have held annual financial talks in seven years, though Suzuki and Choo also met in South Korea in May.
• What Is a Currency Swap?
• How a Currency Swap Works?
• What Is a Credit Line?
• How Does a Credit Line Work?
• Map Work-Japan and South Korea
• Relations between South Korea and Japan-go back to history
• For Your Information-Japan effectively colonized the Korean Peninsula between 1910 and 1945, in a regime that imposed Japanese names and language on Koreans and conscripted many into forced labor or forced prostitution in military brothels before and during World War II. Japan paid $800 million in reparations to South Korea’s military-run government in 1965, but this money was never distributed to victims. A semi-government fund offered compensation to former “comfort women” when the government apologized in 1995, but many South Koreans believe that the Japanese government must take more direct responsibility for the occupation. The two sides also have a longstanding territorial dispute over a group of islands controlled by South Korea and claimed by Japan.
• Strengthening Japan-South Korea ties in the current strategic environment is urgent-Why?
• South Korea and Japan and North Korea-Connect the dots
• What’s expected at the summit?
• What’s at stake for the region?
• How are Japan and South Korea addressing history?
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
📍PM Kishida arrives in Seoul for first visit by a Japanese leader in 12 years
📍JAPAN-SOUTH KOREA SUMMIT: WHAT HAS KEPT THE TWO APART
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