Background Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her Budget speech for 2021-22, announced a new policy for central public sector enterprises (CPSEs), which she said will serve as a clear roadmap for disinvestment of government-owned firms across sectors. The Minister said …
Why in News? A recent study that was published in Environmental Research Letters looked at the rainfall pattern in the past 119 years and found that rainfall trend in Cherrapunji has decreased and Mawsynram (both in Meghalaya) is the wettest …
About IAEA The International Atomic Energy Agency is the world’s central intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical co-operation in the nuclear field. It works for the safe, secure and peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology, contributing to international peace …
Background The Centre wants to reform the country’s land markets through a fundamental legal and procedural shift in how land titles are awarded. In 2020, the government’s think tank, NITI Aayog, took steps to initiate land reforms. A Model Bill …
CONTEXT A Delhi court acquitted former journalist Priya Ramani in a defamation case filed by former Union Minister MJ Akbar against after she accused him of sexual harassment. WHAT IS DEFAMATION? Defamation is the communication of a false statement that …
Why in News? NASA’s science rover Perseverance, streaked through the Martian atmosphere and landed safely on the floor of a vast crater. About the Mission The Mars 2020 rover mission is part of NASA’s Mars Exploration Program, a long-term effort …
CONTEXT It is time to rethink the changing role and the mandate of the IITs in order to ensure that quality and focus continue. INDIAN INSTITUTES OF TECHNOLOGY (IITs) IITs, are the crown jewels of Indian higher education. They are …
What is it? A Special Category Status (SCS) is a classification given by the Centre to assist in the development of those states that face geographical and socio-economic disadvantages like hilly terrains, strategic international borders, economic and infrastructural backwardness, and …
NEWS The recent judgment of the Supreme Court (SC) that refused to review its earlier verdict on the Shaheen Bagh protest is inseparable from its political context. CONTEXT The verdict of October 7, 2020 declared that there is no absolute …
CONTEXT An ever-evolving virus and socioeconomic disparities render the goal of elimination infeasible. COVID- PRESENT, POSSIBILITIES After reeling under the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic for over a year, the world is now waiting for some respite. There has been …