GS3

MOST-FAVORED-NATION (MFN)

GS 3: Economy The Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) principle under the World Trade Organization (WTO) promotes fairness in international trade. It means that if a country offers a favourable trade benefit, like lower taxes or tariffs, to one country, it must offer the same deal to all other WTO members. This helps …

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Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)

GS 3: Economy  Definition: FTAs reduce trade barriers (tariffs, quotas) to promote economic cooperation between nations. Key Features: Reduction in Barriers: Encourages trade with fewer restrictions. Formal Agreements: Bilateral or multilateral pacts. Types of Agreements: Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA): Tariff reductions (e.g., India-MERCOSUR). FTA: Eliminates most tariffs (e.g., India-Sri Lanka …

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Stampedes

GS 3: Disaster Management  A stampede is sudden, chaotic crowd movement causing injuries or fatalities, often triggered by panic or overcrowding. Notable Incidents in India: 2008 Naina Devi Temple: Landslide rumors caused 145 deaths. 2017 Mumbai Bridge: Overcrowding led to 22 fatalities. 2022 Vaishno Devi Shrine: Panic caused 22 deaths. …

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The Chenab Rail Bridge

GS 3 – Infrastructure   The Indian Railways recently conducted a trial run on the Chenab Rail Bridge, the world’s highest railway bridge, located in Jammu and Kashmir. About the Chenab Rail Bridge Location: Between Bakkal and Kauri in Reasi district, Jammu and Kashmir. Height: The bridge stands 359 metres above …

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Disaster Management Act (DM Act) of 2005

GS 3 Disaster management  The Disaster Management Act (DM Act) of 2005 was enacted by the Government of India to ensure effective disaster management and address related concerns. It became operational in January 2006. Objective: The Act aims to manage disasters through mitigation strategies, capacity building, and other related measures. …

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Dark Matter and Dark Energy:

GS 3 science and technology    Dark Matter Dark matter is a hypothetical form of matter that does not emit, absorb, or reflect light, making it invisible and detectable only through its gravitational effects on visible matter. Key Characteristics Invisible: It does not interact with electromagnetic radiation. Massive: Accounts for …

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One Nation One Subscription (ONOS)

GS 3 -Internal Security What is ONOS? The “One Nation One Subscription” (ONOS) scheme is a government initiative aimed at providing free access to scholarly journals and research articles for students, teachers, and researchers across India. Objective of ONOS Equal Access to Knowledge: To bridge the gap in access to …

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The Champions of the Earth Award

GS 3 Environment On December 10, 2024, Indian ecologist Madhav Gadgil won the United Nations’ (UN) highest environmental honor, the Champions of the Earth award. It is the highest environmental honor awarded by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). It recognizes individuals, organizations, and governments whose actions have had a transformative …

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Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis)

GS 3 species Key Highlights: Oldest Wild Bird: Wisdom, a Laysan albatross, holds the record as the oldest known wild bird at 74 years old, having laid her 60th egg. Cultural Significance: Known as “Mōlī” in Hawaiian culture, these birds symbolize good luck and guidance. Biological Features Longevity: These birds …

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Mule Bank Account

GS 3 Economy Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced an AI-powered solution, MuleHunter.AI, to address digital fraud involving mule bank accounts. Developed by the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) in Bengaluru, this AI/ML-based tool is designed to be more precise than traditional rule-based systems, which often generate …

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Windfall Gains Tax

Gs3 – Indian Economy – Taxes Context: The Indian government has decided to end the windfall gains tax on crude oil production within the country and exports of diesel, petrol, and aviation fuel (ATF). This tax was introduced 30 months ago in response to a surge in global fuel prices …

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Reviving India’s Manufacturing Sector

GS3 – Indian Economy – Industry Context: India’s manufacturing sector has shown robust growth, largely driven by the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, positioning the country as a global manufacturing hub. Significance of the Manufacturing Sector Economic Contribution: Contributes 17% of Gross Value Added (GVA), with the potential to rise …

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Anna Chakra Initiative

GS3 – Agriculture – Pds  Context: The ‘Anna Chakra’ portal, developed in collaboration with the Department of Food and Public Distribution, the World Food Programme (WFP), and IIT-Delhi’s Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer, aims to modernize India’s Public Distribution System (PDS). Key Features of Anna Chakra Supply Chain Optimisation: …

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India-Korea Electronic Origin Data Exchange System (EODES)

Ministry of Finance has announced “India-Korea Electronic Origin Data Exchange System (EODES) for faster clearance of imported goods launched” By enabling the electronic exchange of origin data for goods traded under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the customs administrations of Korea and India, EODES will streamline the CEPA’s …

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Biosphere Reserve

  Biodiversity refers to the variety of living species on Earth, including plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi. While Earth’s biodiversity is so rich that many species have yet to be discovered, many species are being threatened with extinction due to human activities, putting the Earth’s magnificent biodiversity at risk. Biosphere …

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Cheetahs in India

Cheetah was the only large carnivore that went extinct in India in 1952 due to over hunting and habitat loss. Asiatic cheetah – African cheetah ASIATIC CHEETAH AFRICAN CHEETAH Slightly smaller and thinner Larger and thicker in comparison Pale yellowish fawn coloured skin Brownish and golden skin More fur under …

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What to do with spent nuclear fuel?

Syllabus:  Alternate fuel Context: Japan has started releasing treated radioactive water from the beleaguered Fukushima nuclear power plant into the ocean. Nuclear energy one of many alternatives to carbon-based power Currently, 10% of the world’s electricity Challenges Storage and disposal of nuclear waste in a safe, controlled manner. Several temporary …

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Understanding curbs on rice exports

Syllabus:  Agriculture-Exports The story so far In a move to check domestic rice prices and ensure domestic food security, the Indian government has prohibited the export of white rice, levied a 20% export duty on par-boiled rice till October 15, and permitted the export of Basmati rice for contracts with …

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