GS2

The Union Budget 2022-23 brought in some amendments to the Income Tax (IT) Act 1961 that would be effective retrospectively. A retrospective tax is one that is charged for transactions in the long past. It can be a new or additional charge on transactions done in the past. Ideally, retrospective tax is to make adjustments when policies in the past and the …

Recently, the Parliamentary standing committee on home affairs has tabled a report on Police- training, modernisation, and reforms. The report highlights the number of reforms required and challenges faced by the Police forces. The report asked the Centre to advise states and Union Territories to create a road map for ensuring …

Recently, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) has launched a nationwide operation to curb human trafficking. As part of “Operation AAHT”, special teams will be deployed on all long-distance trains/routes with a focus on rescuing victims, particularly women and children, from the clutches of traffickers. The National Crime Records Bureau registers about 2,200 cases …

“Recently, in a bilateral meeting India has agreed to provide a grant to Sri Lanka to implement a ‘Unitary Digital Identity framework’, apparently modelled on the Aadhaar card. Both sides also discussed the fishermen’s issue and India provided financial assistance of 2.4 billion USD to Sri Lanka. Earlier, India and …

Recently, in a joint statement, China and Russia affirmed that their new relationship is superior to any political or military alliance of the Cold War era. The statement comes amid Russia’s standoff with North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) on Ukraine. Despite being together in rejecting US unipolarity, the relationship between …

The Supreme Court in a recent judgement highlighted the growing misuse of Section 498A IPC, with friction rising in marriages The incorporation of section 498A was aimed at preventing cruelty committed upon a woman by her husband and her in-laws by facilitating rapid state intervention The court held that there …

Recently, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry (I&B) informed a Malayalam-language news channel that its broadcast licence had been cancelled. The cancellation order cited a Home Ministry order that had denied security clearance to the channel. Until 2021, it had the powers to regulate content across all sectors — TV channels, …

Recently, the US has restored sanctions waivers to Iran to allow international nuclear cooperation projects, as indirect American-Iranian talks on reviving the 2015 international nuclear deal with Iran enter the final stretch. The waiver allows other countries and companies to participate in Iran’s civilian nuclear programme without triggering US sanctions …

Recently, the Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare provided information on Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) strategy. In 2018, the Government of India launched the AMB strategy with the target to reduce anaemia in the vulnerable age groups such as women, children and adolescents. AMB is based on …

Recently, Pakistan signed a new agreement with China to begin the second phase of the USD 60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Earlier, Pakistan had discussed Taliban-led Afghanistan joining the multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) infrastructure project. The second phase primarily revolves around Special Economic Zones (SEZs) development and industrialisation. …

Recently, amendments to the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address were proposed (However, not passed). The amendment proposal mentioned the government’s alleged use of Pegasus spyware and its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. Article 87 provides for the special address by the President. The article provides that at the …

Recently, the Government has clarified that Aadhaar of Husbands is not mandatory under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, PMMVY, to facilitate the inclusion of single mothers and abandoned mothers. What is Aadhar? Aadhar is a 12-digit unique identification (UID) number, which is mandated by Unique Identification Authority of India …

Recently, Philippines has signed a deal with BrahMos Aerospace Private Ltd. for the supply of a shore-based anti-ship variant of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. This is the first export order for the missile, a joint product of India and Russia. The Philippines wants to induct this missile amid tensions …

Recently, the Bilateral consultations on United Nations related issues were held between India and Russia in New Delhi. Russia is set to assume the presidency of the UN Security Council in February, 2022. The discussion came in the backdrop of tensions between Russia and Ukraine over possible eastward expansion by …

Recently, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has released a Draft National Higher Educational Qualification Framework (NHEQF) as a part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to assess students at different levels. The NEP 2020 aims at making “India a global knowledge superpower”. Given the size of the higher education …

Recently, the Kerala government has proposed to amend the Kerala Lokayukta Act, 1999 with an ordinance, a move that has drawn criticism from the opposition. The proposed ordinance envisages to limit the powers of the anti-corruption watchdog. The Kerala cabinet has recommended to the Governor that he promulgates the ordinance …

Expanding Scope of NCW Recently, the 30th Foundation Day (31st January) of the National Commission for Women (NCW) was celebrated. According to the Prime Minister, given the evolving needs of women in the country, the scope of NCW must be broadened. The Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) campaign has shown the …

Recently, the 2nd ASEAN Digital Ministers’ (ADGMIN) Meeting with India virtually, where two sides finalized India-ASEAN Digital work plan 2022 for future collaboration in the field. Important points: ADGMIN is an annual meeting of telecom ministers of 10 ASEAN (Association of South-East Asian Nations) countries and dialogue partner countries—Australia, Canada, …

The Secretary General of the Ministry of Defence of the Sultanate of Oman is on a visit to India. He will be in Delhi to co-chair the Joint Military Cooperation Committee (JMCC) with India’s Defence Secretary. Important points: The two countries across the Arabian Sea are linked by geography, history …

Recently, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced that India is “positive” and “willing to engage” in talks with Pakistan on upgrading the 1974 Joint Protocol on Religious Pilgrimages. It will allow air travel as well as increase the number of shrines pilgrims from both countries could visit. The government …