Recently, the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to journalists Maria Ressa of the Philippines and Dmitry Muratov of Russia for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace. In 2020, the award was given to the World Food Programme (WFP), a United Nations (UN) agency. Other 2021 Nobel Prizes for Literature, Chemistry, Physics …

According to the World Bank, India’s economy, South Asia’s largest, is expected to grow by 8.3% in the fiscal year 2021-22. The South Asia economic focus report projects the region to grow by 7.1% in 2021 and 2022. It is a biannual economic update presenting recent economic developments and a near-term economic outlook for South Asia. Other Major reports of …

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released the Monetary Policy Report (MPR) for the month of October 2021. It kept the policy rate unchanged for the Eighth time in a row maintaining an accommodative stance till the recovery is durable. Important points: Repo Rate – 4%. Reverse Repo Rate – 3.35%. Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) – 4.25%. Bank Rate- …

The Union Government is considering increasing the unit cost of deep-sea fishing vessels from Rs 80 L to Rs 1.3 Cr under the Palk Bay scheme to make it more attractive to fisherfolk. Earlier, the Marine Fisheries Bill 2021 was tabled in the Parliament during the Monsoon session. Important points: The Scheme, “Diversification Of Trawl Fishing …

Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) has questioned the methodology adopted by the government in fixing Rs. 8 lakh as the annual income limit to identify the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) for providing 10% quota in public jobs and educational institutions. Important points: The 10% EWS quota was introduced under the 103rd Constitution (Amendment) Act, 2019 by amending Articles 15 and …