CONTEXT Recently, the Chief Justice of India expressed concern at the degree of human rights violations in police stations in the country. He said that “the threat to human rights and bodily integrity is the highest in police stations”. He …
About Leaded Petrol Vehicles have been running on leaded fuel since 1922, when the compound tetraethyllead was added to gasoline to boost engine performance. By the 1970s, almost all petrol produced worldwide contained lead. The health impacts have been catastrophic, …
What’s in the news? The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has announced the Startup Accelerator for Product Innovation, Development & Growth (SAMRIDH) programme, which aims to help growing startups in India. About SAMRIDH SAMRIDH will create a conducive …
CONTEXT The Government has announced an ambitious programme of asset monetisation. Under this programme, it hopes to earn ₹6 trillion in revenues over a four-year period. Asset monetisation will happen mainly in three sectors: roads, railways and power. Other assets …
About IAEA The International Atomic Energy Agency is the world’s central intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical co-operation in the nuclear field. Widely known as the world’s “Atoms for Peace and Development” organization, IAEA works for the safe, secure and …
Context Recently, the Supreme Court observed that economic criterion cannot be the sole basis for identifying the ‘creamy layer’ of a backward class, and that other factors like social advancement, education, employment, too, matter. The judgment came on a writ …
Context Recently, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP), which is expected to fetch around ₹5.96 lakh crore to the government. Following through on the Budget’s plan to monetise public assets to fund fresh capital expenditure on …
Context The 105th Constitution Amendment was notified recently after it received the assent of President Ramnath Kovind. It is aimed at restoring to the States their power to identify socially and educationally backward classes. The Amendment became necessary to undo …
Why in News: The Indian Coast Guard Ship Vigraha was commissioned by the Minister for Defence at a programme held in Chennai. What are the functions of Vigraha ICGS Vigraha can carry one twin-engine helicopter and four high-speed boats for …