1.GST Council defers tax rate increase on textiles 2.FCRA licences of NGOs extended by three months 3.RRTS could hit the tracks sooner than expected; Trial runs could begin by the middle of 2022 4.Needless provocation: India, China must adhere to past agreements to keep the peace along the border
1. ‘reasonable’ cap for EWS quota, Centre tells SC; The criterion is ‘more stringent’ than the one for OBC creamy layer, the govt. says. 2. Census first phase, NPR data collection deferred till Sept.; The exercise was scheduled to begin in April 2020. 3. Telangana tops Open Defecation Free plus list.
1. China constructing bridge on Pangong lake in Ladakh; It will bring down time to move troops and equipment. 2. Devas shareholders seize over $30 mn of AAI assets; Move follows order by a Canadian court. 3. Institute of Mathematical Sciences is 60: From a small beginning, it has grown to 52 faculty members, 125 PhD students.
1. States told to share intel on common grid: Shah asks DGPs to provide adequate information through counter-terror network. 2. Inadequate response: The ₹8 lakh income criteria to identify EWS are not reasonably explained by the Government. 3. The hint of a ‘one nation one NGO’ regime: The current purge against civil society organisations seems to be indiscriminate and alarming.
1. Govt. says ₹8 lakh EWS income cap ‘best way forward’. 2. 10.74 lakh birds flock to Chilika Lake - world's largest wintering ground. 3. Message from Mumbai: Online mobs spreading hate should not be allowed to continue their work with impunity.
1. Govt. says ₹8 lakh EWS cap derived after study; SC probes Centre on the reasoning behind income limit. 2. TTD, Ramakrishna Mission lose FCRA nod; They are among the 6,000 NGOs whose registration was not renewed by Centre. 3. Russia-led troops deployed in Kazakhstan; Dozens killed in Central Asia Republic as protests over rising prices escalate.
1)SC permits NEET counselling under present OBC, EWS quota; Final hearing on validity of ₹8 lakh annual family income limit in March, it says 2)NSO estimates FY22 GDP growth at 9.2%COVID-19 could impact final numbers 3)FCRA nod for Missionaries of Charity restored; MHA had cited ‘adverse inputs’ for rejection
1. Partial relief for Air India in Devas case. 2. Unchanged: After much loss of time, SC allows EWS quota income norm to stay for this year. 3. Growth concerns: NSO forecast has not factored in the impact of the ongoing Omicron-induced surge in cases.
1. SC to constitute panel to probe PM security breach; Halt inquiries by Punjab, Centre, says court. 2. Ghaziabad most polluted city, says NCAP report; Delhi in 2nd spot with highest PM 2.5 level. 3. The sail that Indian diplomacy, statecraft need: Striking the right balance between continental and maritime security will enable India’s long-term security interests. 4. The rise of collaboratives for social impact: The emphasis on inclusion, equity and justice, and formal collaborations could make a mark in India’s social sector. 5. Amendments that are unnecessary: Why a national database of registered births and deaths is not required.
1. Govt. to hold 35.8% stake in Vodafone Idea. 2. Solar power all set to brighten lives of farmers; 11 solar plants installed in Rajasthan under Kusum scheme. 3. HC orders notice to Centre on Dam Safety Act.
1)Retail inflation accelerates to 5.59%; Industrial output growth slows to 1.4% in Nov.: NSO 2)Indu Malhotra panel to probe security breach 3)Modi exhorts youth to adopt motto of ‘compete & conquer’Inaugurating National Youth Festival, PM praises ‘can-do’ spirit of new generation
1) Forest, tree cover in India up by 2,261 sq km, 2) A welcome probe: SC should restrain political parties from using any lapse in PM’s security for poll propaganda
"DUE TO PONGAL THE HINDU IS UNAVAILABLE TODAY "
1)Djokovic loses appeal against deportation 2)Friend in need: India and Sri Lanka have shown an ability to quickly act on promises to each other 3)Storm warnings of a megacity collapse: What urban India needs today is not flashy retrofitted ‘smart’ enclaves but sound, functional metropolitan cities
1. No one died of hunger in recent times: Centre Comprehensive steps have been taken, it tells Supreme Court. 2. A.P. govt. bans 100-year-old ‘Chintamani Padya Natakam’. 3. Inflation conundrum: High price rise trends could continue in 2022, compounding the challenge for policy makers.
1. Hyderabad bids to host Formula E World: It will be one of 60 cities across the world bidding to host the electric car race. 2. India’s watchwords in a not so bright 2022: There are risks that could be both domestic and geopolitical and New Delhi must take care to read the signals properly. 3. Just what the doctor ordered for the livestock farmer: With most of India’s livestock in rural and remote areas, a game changer now will be the use of mobile veterinary units. 4. A train to unite Kerala: The ambitious SilverLine project deserves deeper analysis and to decongest traffic, the State needs an integrated approach. 5. Vaccination for 12-14 age group likely from March: NTAGI chief; Coverage of the 15-17 population making good progress, says N.K. Arora.
1. New Haryana law may hit jobs, growth: stakeholders; ‘It is very, very myopic... industry will suffer, not politicians’. 2. COVID deaths: SC to steer payments: Court steps in after some States respond to the initiative in a lukewarm fashion.
1) SC upholds OBC quota in NEET; ‘Open exam only ensures formal equality, does not end ingrained inequalities’ 2) Focus on rights made India weak, says PM 3) Court and compensation: The Supreme Court has done much to grant some succour to the kin of COVID-19 victims 4) Drop the IAS cadre rules amendments: States are right in perceiving the planned amendments to Rule 6(1) to be an infringement of their rights
1) Amar Jawan Jyoti now merged with War Memorial flame: govt.; Congress and some veterans oppose removal of tribute to 1971 Bangladesh war 2) Start-ups raised a record $24.1 bn in 2021: study 3) 35 Pak.-based YouTube channels banned War of misinformation, says official 4) All set for tiger count at Bandipur, Nagarahole 5) Wrong remedy: States have rightly raised questions about proposed rule changes on IAS, IPS deputation
1) Omicron in community transmission: INSACOG; ‘Most cases mild, but hospitalizations, ICU cases up’ 2) Elephant corridors to be restored in south Bengal; 403 human deaths recorded between 2014 and 2019 3) German Navy chief quits over remarks at Delhi event; Vice-Admiral Kay-Achim Schönbach’s speech led to diplomatic row with Ukraine 4) False dichotomy: The top court’s view that quotas ensure equal opportunity is a blow for affirmative action 5) A stellar fallacy: Assessment of environmental costs, benefits of projects should not be done in haste
1) For health volunteers, the fight is twofold: virus and its stigmaASHAs and CDVs providing care to patients in home isolation often face hostility 2) In conjunction Individual obligation is meaningful only when rights are guaranteed by the state 3) Dealing with the macroeconomic uncertaintiesThe Union Budget needs to maintain an accommodative fiscal stance to support the sustainability of economic growth 4) The devastating impact of school closure By closing schools for this long and providing just online education, we have violated children’s rights 5) India needs a national vision Only then will there be coherence in multi-sectoral and multi-ministerial policymaking and execution
1) Centre to remind States again of IAS cadre rules; Seven BJP-ruled States give consent; eight States oppose plan 2) Gen. Rawat, Kalyan get Padma Vibhushan 3) For a civic solidarity: The Chakma/Hajong people deserve citizenship and not racial profiling 4) Why Republic Day is celebrated: India is a republic only when its laws result from free public discussion and pass open scrutiny
1. Fewer hospitalisations in third wave, data from States show. 2. Rampant human trafficking from Gujarat in the spotlight; The death of a family from Gujarat on the U.S.-Canada border has prompted the State police to launch a probe into the activities of local agents. 3. Spot-billed pelicans dying en masse in Andhra Pradesh; Nematode infestation triggers mass mortality of the birds in Naupada swamp of Srikakulam district; only 200 birds left.
1) Central Asia meet forms Afghan group; PM says countries ‘concerned about the developments in Afghanistan’; leaders discuss connectivity 2) Air India back in Tata Group hangar; Govt. transfers shares to Tata Sons unit Talace 3) Wrong route: Kerala’s move to dilute the Lok Ayukta law through an ordinance is questionable 4) India’s economy and the challenge of informality: Policy efforts to formalise the economy will have limited results as the bulk of informal units are petty producers 5) Seeds of suspicion: U.S.-Russia ties began to weaken during the second term of the Barack Obama administration
1) Google to invest up to $1 bn in Airtel 2)Don’t want wars, but won’t let interests be ignored: Russia; Putin will decide response to U.S. proposals: Lavrov 3) Willing to talk to Pakistan on pilgrim flights: India; Officials to meet to upgrade 1974 protocol on religious travel 4) India’s largest electric vehicle charging station set up in Gurugram; It will be able to charge 100 EVs round the clock
1) EPFO to appoint auditor to track fund managersInvestments to be scrutinised 2) Migratory birds find winter home in Bengal; Water bodies in the arid areas of the State have become new havens for them 3) Risky bets Russia should do more to reduce tensions along its border with Ukraine 4) Show commitment to equity in the Budget; The Government needs to stop India’s avalanching slide into a grossly divided society, made worse by the pandemic
For Any enquiry or details related to IAS/IPS/UPSC coaching or examination submit your details and get a call from one of our expert's team.
Free Online Workshop