DPN Topics
Subject: Science and tech Context: Tests performed on Russian politician Alexei Navalny at the German hospital showed the presence of Soviet-era nerve agent Novichok. Concept: The name Novichok means “newcomer” in Russian, and applies to a group of advanced nerve agents developed by the Soviet Union in the 1970s and 1980s. They were known as fourth-generation […]
Subject: Science and tech Context: Early this month, the Chinese-only website of Zhenhua Data Information Technology Co, the company monitoring foreign targets, was pulled down Concept: It targets individuals and institutions in politics, government, business, technology, media, and civil society. Claiming to work with Chinese intelligence, military and security agencies, Zhenhua monitors the subject’s digital footprint […]
Subject: IR Context: The Foreign Ministers of India and China arrived at a ‘Five Points’ agreement to reduce the prevailing tension on the Ladakh border during their talks in Moscow on the sidelines of the SCO Summit Concept: The points include dialogue aimed at quick disengagement, maintaining proper distance between troops of the two sides and easing […]
Subject: Science and tech Context: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) performed a major technological feat by launching cruise vehicle Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV). The centrepiece of the HSTDV was the indigenously developed air-breathing scramjet engine. Concept: A ramjet is a form of air-breathing jet engine that uses the vehicle’s forward motion to […]
Subject: Economy Context: The licences of 13 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have been suspended under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010, this year. Concept: The FCRA regulates foreign donations and ensures that such contributions do not adversely affect internal security. First enacted in 1976, it was amended in 2010 when a slew of new measures were adopted to […]
Subject: Science and tech Context: While the fear of COVID-19 re-infection has dogged discussion on the novel coronavirus, it was in late August that the first ‘confirmed’ case of re-infection was officially recorded. Concept: The human body’s immunity acts in two forms — as innate, jumping to the task of protection immediately, and adaptive, meaning immunity acquired by […]
Subject: Science and tech Context: University of Oxford and AstraZeneca said they were resuming clinical trials for a new coronavirus vaccine across all U.K. sites. Concept: Vaccine trials follow a four-stage process when they are tested in people. After a drug has proven itself safe in a variety of animals — usually mice, rabbits, hamsters and primates […]
Subject: Environment Context: Government has launched Climate Smart Cities Assessment Framework (CSCAF 2.0) and Streets for People Challenge Concept: Climate Smart Cities Assessment Framework The objective of CSCAF is to provide a clear roadmap for cities towards combating Climate Change while planning and implementing their actions, including investments. In the last decade, an increasing frequency […]
Subject: Government initiatives Context : Two Indian initiatives have found places amongst the ten best global initiatives selected by the Rockefeller Foundation for its Food Systems Vision Prize 2050: Naandi Foundation’s work with tribal communities in Araku in South India and other is ‘Eat Right India’. Concept: FSSAI has embarked on a large-scale effort to […]
Subject: IR Context : India slips 26 places to 105 in global economic freedom index Concept: According to the Economic Freedom of the World: 2020 report released by the Fraser Institute in Canada, India slipped 26 places to 105 among 162 countries and territories on the index of global economic freedom. The country ranked 79th […]