DPN Topics
Subject: Geography/science and tech Context: A recent report by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said that the supply of raw materials to produce rechargeable batteries, crucial to move to cleaner energy is uncertain. Concept: As electric vehicles (EVs) have gradually been integrated into global transportation, there has been a rapid growth in demand for rechargeable batteries. This will […]
Subject: IR Context: According to a report published by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), energy transition-related technologies can add 5.5 million jobs globally by 2023, on June 24, 2020. It highlighted that energy transformation could be a key to novel COVID-19 economic recovery. Concept: The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is an intergovernmental organisation that supports countries […]
Subject: Environment Context: The Odisha forest department has started a two-year conservation project for fishing cats in Bhitarkanika National Park Concept: The fishing cat is nocturnal and apart from fish also preys on frogs, crustaceans, snakes, birds, and scavenges on carcasses of larger animals. In India, fishing cats are mainly found in the mangrove forests […]
Subject: Environment Context: National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) has conducted research on Coccolithophores and has found that there is a decrease in the concentration of oceanic calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in the southern Indian ocean. Concept: Coccolithophores (ancient marine algae) have been playing a key role in marine ecosystems and the global carbon […]
Subject: IR/Geography Context: Ishigaki city assembly, a local council in Japan has approved change of name of an area containing Senkaku Islands from Tonoshiro to Tonoshiro Senkaku. Concept: The Senkakus are administered by Japan, but claimed by China and Taiwan, which refer to them as Diaoyu Dao and Diaoyutai, respectively. Japan annexed the archipelago following China’s defeat in […]
Subject: IR/Economy Context: HSN code is in news over debate over GST rate for roti and Parotta. Concept: HSN is a six-digit code that classifies more than 5000 products, arranged in a legal and logical structure. To achieve uniform classification, the HSN is supported by well-defined rules and is accepted worldwide. HSN classification is widely […]
Subject: Science and tech Context: With Bayer’s $10.9-billion settlement in US, there may be rise in demand for glyphosate ban in India Concept: First developed in 1970, glyphosate is scientifically N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine under the IUPAC system of nomenclature. It is applied to the leaves of plants to kill weeds. Working: As a non-selective herbicide (affecting […]
Subject: Economy Context: The Shipping Ministry attempts to privatise the multi-modal cargo terminals at Varanasi, Haldia and Sahibganj on National Waterway 1 on equip-operate-transfer model Concept: IWAI The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) came into existence on 27th October 1986 for development and regulation of inland waterways for shipping and navigation. The Authority primarily […]
Subject: Environment Context: Several students unions in the country wrote letter to government to hold draft EIA notification 2020. Concept: Environment Impact Assessment or EIA can be defined as the study to predict the effect of a proposed activity/project on the environment. A decision making tool, EIA compares various alternatives for a project and seeks […]
Subject: IR Context: China made intrusion into Galwan Valley, Hot Springs and Pangong Tso areas in Eastern Ladakh. This is seen as Chinese ‘salami slicing’ attempt to shift the Sino-India LAC further west in the disputed region Concept: In military terms, salami slicing is described as a strategy that involves divide and conquer process of […]