Chillai Kalan Subject – Environment Context – ‘Chillaikalan’ puts Kashmir in a deep freeze Concept – The 40-day intense winter period “chillaikalan” started in Kashmir valley on 21st December with sub-zero night temperatures across the region. It will continue till January 31. Chillai Kalan is followed by Chillai-Khurd and Chillai-Bachha. ChillaiKhurd (small cold) […]
Anti-National Activity Subject – Polity Context – ‘Antinational’ not defined in statutes, says Centre Concept – The word ‘anti-national’ has not been defined in statutes. The Constitution (Forty–Second Amendment) Act, 1976 inserted in the Constitution Article 31D (during Emergency) which defined ‘anti-national activity’ and this Article 31D was, subsequently, omitted by the Constitution (Forty-third Amendment) Act, 1977. However, […]
World Press Freedom Index Subject – Governance Context – Govt. disagrees with India’s rank in World Press Freedom Index Concept – The index is published each year by the international journalism not-for-profit body, Reporters without Borders (RSF). India has ranked 142nd out of 180 nations in the World Press Freedom Index. Based in Paris, RSF is an independent NGO with consultative […]
International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) Subject – IR Context – Sri Lanka detains 13 more Indian fishermen Concept – A maritime boundary is a conceptual division of the Earth’s water surface areas using physiographic or geopolitical criteria. As such, it usually bounds areas of exclusive national rights over mineral and biological resources, encompassing maritime features, limits and zones. […]
Renewable Power Purchase Agreements Subject – Environment Context – Renewable PPAs in Andhra, Punjab: Power cos write to Centre Concept – Electricity and wind energy contracts are known as “Power Purchase Agreements” or PPAs. PPAs are long-term contracts to buy renewable energy in agreed volumes and at prices that meet the needs of […]
NSE Prime Subject – Economy Context – The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has launched a new corporate governance initiative – ‘NSE Prime’ Concept – The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has launched a new corporate governance initiative – ‘NSE Prime’, a framework that prescribes higher standards of corporate governance for listed companies than those […]
Currency in Circulation (CiC) Subject – Economy Context – CiC to GDP ratio remains high at 14.5% for FY21: Currency-in-circulation growth falls Concept – Cash-to-GDP Ratio or Currency in Circulation (CIC) to GDP Ratio or simply currency-to-GDP ratio shows the value of cash in circulation as a ratio of GDP. Currency in circulation […]
Scrappage Policy for Thermal Plants Subject – Environment Context – NITI Aayog expert group suggests scrappage policy for thermal plants Concept – An expert group set up by NITI Aayog has suggested the creation of a thermal power plant (TPP) scrappage policy in a bid to bring down the dependency of the power […]
James Webb Space Telescope Subject – Science and Tech Context – NASA has announced the launch of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) at 7.20 am EST (5.50 pm India time) on December 24. Concept – Webb, the world’s premier space science observatory, will succeed the Hubble Space Telescope, NASA’s flagship telescope that […]
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Subject – Polity Context – SAD turns 100 Concept – SAD was conceived in December 1920, a year after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. SAD was formed as a volunteer group on December 14, 1920 to free gurdwaras from the control of mahants (priests) appointed by the British government, a […]