In News Recently, Sudan’s civilian Prime Minister (PM) resigned, plunging the country into further turmoil.  Background The PM was sacked by the military in October 2021 and reinstated a few weeks later as part of a deal.  Anti-military protests continue to rock the country. The protesters rejected the PM’s deal with the military and demanded […]

In News A new Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) report has warned that Gandhi Sagar Dam on Chambal River in Madhya Pradesh is in need of immediate repair. Key Findings of Report Problems faced by dams: Absence of regular checks  non-functional instruments Gandhi Sagar Dam was among the few of national importance to […]

In Context India is in dialogue with Israel for concluding a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The announcement coincides with the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.  What is Free Trade Agreement? It is a pact between two or more nations to reduce barriers to imports and exports among them.  […]

In News A committee constituted by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, which examined the income criteria for determining who are to be included among the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), submitted its report recently. The government has accepted the report and filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court. What has the panel recommended? The […]

In Context The Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) provided a cushion to only 14.25 per cent of people hospitalized for the COVID-19, between April 2020 and June 2021.  Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna (PM-JAY) About: The scheme was launched in September 2018 and recommended by the National Health Policy 2017, to achieve the vision […]

In News Bombay High Court’s controversial guidelines practically gagging the media from reporting on cases pertaining to sexual harassment at workplace have been challenged in the Supreme Court, alleging that the directions are a “death blow” to freedom of speech and expression. About G.S. Patel guidelines: The guidelines were formed by Justice G.S. Patel of […]

In News  Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for the services sector dropped for a second successive month in December 2021 to 55.5.  About Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) It is an index of the prevailing direction of economic trends in the manufacturing and service sectors. It is an economic indicator, which is derived after monthly surveys of […]

In News  As per the waterbird status survey-2022, Chilika Lake saw a million birds visiting the waterbody. About  The census was undertaken jointly by the Odisha State Wildlife Organisation, the Chilika Development Authority (CDA) and the Bombay Natural History Society.  The Chilika Lagoon was divided strategically into 21 segments for the census. A total of […]

In Context India splurged a record $55.7 billion on gold imports in 2021 buying more than double the previous year’s tonnage. In volume, India imported 1,050 tonnes in 2021, the most in a decade, and far more than the 430 tonnes imported in 2020. A price drop favoured retail buyers and pent-up demand emerged for […]

In News Srinagar-Leh highway passing through Zoji-La closed for civilian vehicular movement till further orders, due to continuous spell of snowfall and extreme weather. About Zoji La History Zoji La Pass was captured by militias aided by the Pakistan Army in 1848, with the ultimate aim of capturing Ladakh. However, the pass itself was captured […]