Recently, the government has launched the pilot phase of Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) with an aim to “democratise” the country’s fast growing digital e-commerce space that is currently dominated by the two U.S.-headquartered firms — Amazon and Walmart. ONDC ONDC is a freely accessible government-backed platform that aims to democratise e-commerce by moving it …

In a study published in the journal Science, researchers have claimed that the disease (black death) originated in modern day northern Kyrgyzstan around 1338-1339 – nearly 7-8 years before it ravaged large parts of the world. The term Black Death refers to the bubonic plague that spread across Western Asia, Northern Africa, Middle East and Europe in …

Investment in the Indian capital markets through Participatory notes (P-notes) dropped to Rs 86,706 crore till May-end, 2022. However, according to experts, foreign investors will reverse their selling stance and return to the country’s equities in the coming 1-2 quarters. In line with a decline in P-note investment, the assets under the …

Recently, the Minster of Home Affairs and Cooperation has addressed a conclave, organised by the National Federation of Urban Cooperative Banks and Credit Societies (NAFCUB), emphasising the needed Reforms for Urban Cooperative Banks (UCB). The NAFCUB is an Apex Level Promotional body of Urban Cooperative Banks and Credit Societies Ltd. in the Country. …

According to a new report, wetland conservation should feature as an independent topic of discussion in the negotiations at the upcoming biodiversity and climate change conferences for effective carbon sequestration. Carbon sequestration is the long-term storage of carbon in plants, soils, geologic formations, and the ocean. Experts from the Wetlands International, a global non-profit, in a new white paper suggested five …

In Maharashtra’s political crisis, the Governor’s decision to call for the floor test has been in the spotlight once again. What are the Constitutional Provisions related to the Governor in calling for a Floor Test? Article 174 of the Constitution authorizes the Governor to summon, dissolve and prorogue the state legislative assembly. Article …

Recently, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has launched National Air Sport Policy 2022 (NASP 2022). It has been drafted based on the inputs received from policy makers, air sports practitioners and public at large and will ensure establishment of good quality of infrastructure, equipment, instructors and services. NASP 2022 lays out …

On the occasion of World Food Safety Day, the Union Health Minister released Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)’s 4th State Food Safety Index (SFSI) to measure the performance of States across five parameters of food safety. SFSI was started from 2018-19 with the aim of creating a competitive and positive change in the …

In the recently released Environment Performance Index-2022, India was at the bottom among 180. The Environment Performance Index (EPI) is an international ranking system that measures environmental health and sustainability of countries. The EPI, a biennial index, was started in 2002 as Environmental Sustainability Index by the World Economic Forum in collaboration with the Yale Center for …

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued a draft proposal for public comment on a set of proposed amendments to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. The draft document was however withdrawn the same day. The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT …