Why in the News? INDIA’S TRADE PERFORMANCE FACTORS BEHIND THE WIDENING TRADE DEFICIT TRADE DEFICIT: CONCEPT● Trade Deficit: A trade deficit occurs when the value of a country’s imports exceeds the value of its exports over a given period, influenced by economic interdependence and regional security cooperation frameworks.● Current Account Link: Merchandise trade deficit is…
Why in the News? ● First Coal PSU Milestone: The Ministry of Coal has notified SECL Ke Sushrut in the Gazette of India, making it the first Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) scheme of any Coal PSU to receive such recognition. ● Digital Governance: The notification enables voluntary Aadhaar authentication for beneficiaries under the Aadhaar Act,…
Why in the News? ● Coastal Security Review: Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed the progress of establishing the Bureau of Port Security (BoPS) and directed measures to strengthen India’s coastal and port security architecture, aligning with the country’s broader Indo-Pacific strategy. ● Key Directives: The government emphasised CISF-trained personnel, enhanced container scanning, cybersecurity, and…
Why in the News? ● Major Naval Induction: The Indian Navy has commissioned its sixth Project 17A indigenous stealth frigate, INS Mahendragiri (F38), into the Eastern Fleet at Visakhapatnam. ● Aatmanirbhar Milestone: The induction strengthens India’s indigenous warship-building capability, enhances maritime security, and advances the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative in defence manufacturing. PROJECT 17A STEALTH FRIGATE…
Why in the News? ● Successful Humanitarian Mission: Operation Amistad, India’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) mission to earthquake-affected Venezuela, has concluded with the return of the Indian contingent. ● International Appreciation: Venezuela thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India for providing timely humanitarian assistance, medical support, and disaster relief following…
Why in the News? GOVERNMENT’S CYBERCRIME INITIATIVES NATIONAL CYBERCRIME FRAMEWORK INDIAN CYBER SECURITY ARCHITECTURE● Institutional Framework: India’s cybersecurity ecosystem includes the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC), National Cyber Coordination Centre (NCCC), and sectoral CERTs, forming a comprehensive regional security architecture aligned…
Why in the News? ● Historic Demographic Shift: Kerala’s Vital Statistics Report 2024 shows that the Crude Birth Rate (CBR) has fallen below 10 for the first time, indicating an advanced stage of demographic transition with implications for regional economic integration and workforce planning. ● Population Concerns: The report highlights declining fertility, falling live births,…
Why in the News? KEY PROVISIONS OF THE AMENDMENT DRUGS RULES, 1945: SCHEDULE K AND SCHEDULE H1 DRUGS AND COSMETICS ACT, 1940● Objective: The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 regulates the import, manufacture, distribution, sale, and quality of drugs and cosmetics in India to ensure their safety, efficacy, and quality.● Regulatory Framework: The Act is…
Why in the News? KEY OBJECTIVES OF THE EXPERT COMMITTEE ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY (ART) REGULATION IN INDIA NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR WOMEN (NCW)● Establishment: The National Commission for Women (NCW) is a statutory body established under the National Commission for Women Act, 1990, and became operational in 1992.● Mandate: It safeguards and promotes women’s constitutional and…
Why in the News? ● High Court Hearing: The Delhi High Court questioned the Centre over the constitution of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL) while hearing a PIL alleging violation of statutory provisions. ● Key Concern: Petitioners alleged that the SC-NBWL has approved over 97% of project proposals involving protected…