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CYBERCRIME AGAINST WOMEN

The Information Technology Act, 2000 (“IT Act”) and rules made thereunder contain several provisions for safeguarding users in the cyberspace. The IT Act penalises various cybercrimes relating to computer resources, including dishonestly or fraudulently accessing a computer resource without the permission. Each such cybercrime is punishable with imprisonment for a …

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ONE DISTRICT ONE PRODUCT (ODOP) INITIATIVE

ODOP initiative is operationally merged with ‘Districts as Export Hub (DEH)’ initiative of the DGFT, Department of Commerce, with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) as a major stakeholder, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Shri Som Parkash said in reply to a parliament question …

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INDIAN REGIONAL NAVIGATION SATELLITE SYSTEM (NAVIC SYSTEM)

The Centre today informed that the usage of Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (NaviC system) has increased in India. In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, …

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CONJUGAL VISITS FOR INMATES

The State of Punjab has furthered the cause of right to life and personal liberty of prisoners by allowing conjugal visits for inmates. It is expected that this initiative will lead to strengthening of matrimonial bonds and also ensure good conduct of prisoners. What are conjugal rights? Broadly speaking, conjugal …

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APPOINTMENT OF JUDGES

Last week, Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar commented on the on-going heated debate between the Central government and the Supreme Court over the matter of judicial appointments. Referring to the 2015 verdict of the SC which struck down the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) and the 99th Amendment, Mr. Dhankhar asked how …

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INSTALLATION OF 500 GW OF RENEWABLE ENERGY CAPACITY BY 2030

India’s plan to install 500 GW (gigawatt) of renewable energy capacity by 2030 will involve an investment of at least ₹2.44 lakh crore or ₹2.44 trillion, according to a committee constituted by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA). “The plan we are launching today is in line with our commitments and …

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UGC FORMS PANEL TO WORK ON TEXTBOOKS IN INDIAN LANGUAGES

The University Grants Commission on Wednesday held a meeting with international publishers to discuss bringing out textbooks for undergraduate courses in Indian languages, and has set a timeline of six to 12 months for the same. Representatives from Wiley India, Springer Nature, Taylor & Francis, Cambridge University Press India, Cengage …

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RESERVATION FOR DALIT CONVERTS

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said it would examine the question whether the court should wait for the report of the Justice K.G. Balakrishnan Commission or go ahead and hear a series of petitions seeking Scheduled Castes quota benefits for Dalit converts to other religions, primarily Christianity. The Centre, through …

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BIMSTEC

December 8 is commemorated as SAARC Charter Day. It was on this day, 37 years ago, that the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), an intergovernmental organisation, was established by Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka to promote economic growth in South Asia. Afghanistan acceded …

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THE FRAMEWORK OF RESERVATION

Early last month, the Supreme Court of India upheld the 103rd Constitutional Amendment Act, which had introduced 10% reservation for the economically weaker sections (EWS). The EWS quota and the Court judgment that followed have shifted the discussion on the legacy of affirmative action based on caste in India. With …

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CYCLONE MANDOUS

With the cyclonic storm Mandous brewing over the Bay of Bengal likely to hit the north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts around Saturday morning, intense rain may lash many districts of Tamil Nadu between Thursday and Saturday. The weather system may produce extremely heavy rain in a few districts on …

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RBI LIMITS INCREASE TO 35 BPS

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Wednesday raised the policy repo rate by 35 basis points (bps) to 6.25%, downshifting gears from consecutive increases of 50 bps, and scaled down GDP growth hopes for the year to 6.8% from 7%, even as Governor Shaktikanta Das exuded confidence about the …

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TRAI – CALLING NAME PRESENTATION (CNAP)

On November 29, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) floated a consultation paper seeking comments about the potential introduction of a Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) feature. The feature would provide an individual with information about the calling party (similar to ‘Truecaller’ and ‘Bharat Caller ID & Anti-Spam’). The idea …

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NEW LABOUR CODES, AT THE 17TH ASIA AND THE PACIFIC REGIONAL MEETING (APRM)

International workers’ groups criticised the Centre’s labour policies, including the four new labour codes, at the 17th Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting (APRM) of the International Labour Organization (ILO), which began here on Tuesday. India’s new labour codes violate the tripartite agreements — among workers, employers and the government …

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WINTER SESSION OF PARLIMENT

With 25 Bills, including two financial Bills, listed for the 17-day Winter Session of Parliament, the Opposition parties have expressed concern about the limited time available for any meaningful debate on them. At an all-party meeting on Tuesday, they said there would be even less time available to raise other …

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YUAN WANG 5, SURVEILLANCE VESSEL OF CHINA

The Chinese research and survey vessel Yuan Wang 5 has re-entered the Indian Ocean in what coincides with a planned Indian long-range missile test on December 15 or 16. In a similar incident last month, another vessel, Yuan Wang 6, entered the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) coinciding with a planned Indian missile launch, …

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SCENARIOS FOR THE FUTURE OF INDIA, AND THE WORLD

Making predictions of the economic growth of nations — long term, annual, and quarterly — is a lucrative industry employing many economists, researchers, analysts, and commentators. The fast growth of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) economies was forecast by economists at the turn of the millennium. The prediction …

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