GS2

Recently, the US has approved the Germany-Russia Nord Stream 2 Pipeline (NS2P) project – which significantly increases Europe’s energy dependence on Russia. The US had previously imposed sanctions to prevent the completion of this gas pipeline between Russia and Germany. Important  points: This is a 1,200-km pipeline that runs from Ust-Luga in Russia to Greifswald …

Recently, the Union Minister of Law and Justice informed the Rajya Sabha regarding the appointment of judges in various high courts. The minister pointed out that filling up vacancies in the higher judiciary is a continuous, integrated and collaborative process between the Executive and the Judiciary. It requires consultation and approval from Constitutional authorities at the State as well as Central level. Important  points: Article 217 of the …

Recently, the government introduced the Essential Defence Services Bill, 2021 in Lok Sabha. It seeks to replace the ordinance issued in June 2021 and prohibits any agitation and strike by anyone engaged in the essential defence services. Important  points: It includes any service in any establishment or undertaking dealing with production of goods or equipment required for defence related …

Recently, a global collaborative investigative effort has revealed that, at least 300 individuals in India, were potentially identified for targeted surveillance using sophisticated spyware called Pegasus. However, the government has claimed that all interception in India takes place lawfully. Communication surveillance in India takes place primarily under two laws – the Telegraph Act, 1885 and the Information Technology …

Recently, the first human death was recorded due to Bird Flu in India this Year. This was caused by H5N1 Avian Influenza Virus. Earlier, China reported the first human infection of H10N3 bird flu. Important points: A disease caused by avian influenza (AI) Type A viruses found naturally in wild birds worldwide. AI viruses are broadly classified as low pathogenic AI …

Recently, the Union Cabinet has approved a six-month extension to the commission appointed to examine sub-categorisation of Other Backward Classes (OBCs), up to 31st January 2022. This is the eleventh extension for the commission, which was initially due to submit its report in March 2018. Important points: It will enable the Commission to submit a comprehensive report on …

Recently, the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) has amended the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (Insolvency Resolution Process for Corporate Persons) Regulations, 2016. The amendments are aimed at enhancing the discipline, transparency, and accountability in corporate insolvency proceedings. In March 2021 a sub-committee of the Insolvency Law Committee (ILC) recommended a pre-pack framework within …

Recently, the Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare informed the Rajya Sabha that National Health Mission (NHM) supported health system reforms have resulted in development of resilient health systems. Important points: NHM was launched by the government of India in 2013 subsuming the National Rural Health Mission (Launched in 2005) and the National …

The report titled “India Inequality Report 2021: India’s Unequal Healthcare Story” released by Oxfam India shows that the socio-economic inequalities seep into the health sector and disproportionately affect health outcomes of marginalised communities due to the absence of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The report suggested that the states which are attempting to reduce existing inequalities and …

Recently, in a RTI Reply, it has been revealed that the Centre is yet to appoint a director of inquiry, more than two years after the Lokpal came into being. Important points: As per the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013, there shall be a Director of Inquiry, not below the rank of Joint Secretary to …

Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) upheld a 2013 judgment of the Gujarat High Court and struck down certain provisions of the Constitution (97th Amendment) Act, 2011. It gave a major boost for federalism as the 97th Amendment shrank the exclusive authority of States over its co-operative societies, a sector considered as a massive contributor to the economy. Co-operatives According to …

Recently, China has reported the first human infection case with Monkey B virus (BV). Important points: Monkey B virus is an alphaherpesvirus enzootic (endemic) in macaques and it was initially isolated in 1932. Alphaherpesviruses are pathogens or neuroinvasive viruses that establish lifelong infections in the peripheral nervous system of humans and many other vertebrates. B virus is also commonly referred to as herpes …

Recently, the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (labour union) wrote to the Prime Minister asking him to convene the Indian Labour Conference (ILC). It argued that since Indian Parliament has ratified Convention No 144 of the International Labour Organisation, it is now India’s legal obligation to hold the ILC in order to strengthen the tripartite mechanism. Important points: ILC …

Recently, the Monsoon session of Parliament has begun, after the reshuffling of the Council of ministers and the Cabinet committees. Important points: The summoning of Parliament is specified in Article 85 of the Constitution. The power to convene a session of Parliament rests with the Government. The decision is taken by the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs which is …

Recently, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has announced that its new spacecraft, named Near-Earth Asteroid Scout or NEA Scout, has completed all required tests and has been safely tucked inside the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. Important points: Near-Earth Asteroid Scout, or NEA Scout, is a miniaturized spacecraft, known as a CubeSat, developed under NASA’s Advanced Exploration Systems …

According to a recent RBI report on ‘Monetary transmission in India’, the share of outstanding loans linked to External Benchmarks Lending Rate (EBLR – like repo rate), increased from as low as 2.4% during September 2019 to 28.5% during March 2021. This increase in EBLR linked lending will contribute to significant improvement in monetary policy transmission. However, still 71.5% …

In a recent reply in the Parlaiment, the government disclosed that between 1st April and 30th November, 2015, 25,357 cases were registered under police category which included 111 deaths in police custody, 330 cases of custodial torture and 24,916 in others. This data again lays emphasis on the need to make police accountable and carry out police reform. Important …

The Supreme Court (SC) is going to hear a fresh challenge to the provision allowing restitution (recovery) of conjugal rights under Hindu personal laws (Hindu Marriage act 1955). Important points: Conjugal rights are rights created by marriage, i.e. right of the husband or the wife to the society of the other spouse. The law recognises these rights— both …

Recently, a petition was filed in the Supreme court (SC), that seeks a relook into the Sedition Law. Important points: The nearly-60-year old judgment helped sedition to survive in Indian Penal Code. The 1962 judgment in the KedarNath case, which upheld Section 124A (sedition), a relic of the colonial legacy, was given at a time when …

A report titled ‘The State of Food Security Nutrition in the World 2021 (SOFI)’ has studied the impact of Covid-19 pandemic-induced income loss on food intake and malnutrition. The report is presented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the World Food …