The UNODC’s Global Report on Trafficking in Persons 2022 presented shocking data sets about the forms of exploitation of victims of human trafficking in the South Asia region, including India. About 37% of victims in the region are trafficked for sexual exploitation, 56% for forced labour, and 7% for other work. Women continue to comprise … Continue reading human trafficking
GS 2 Paper APSC Mains 2023
GS-2Download
Events during Lacroix’s Bangladesh visit
The United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, visited Bangladesh on June 25–26 at the invitation of the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a state guest. This was his first visit to Bangladesh at the preparatory meeting for the UN Peacekeeping Ministerial 2023. Bangladesh is one of the co-hosts for this event, along … Continue reading Events during Lacroix’s Bangladesh visit
Indo-US relations in the present geostrategic context
The recent state visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to America and the reception bestowed on him by the Joe Biden administration are unprecedented. The joint press statement containing 58 paragraphs released at the conclusion of the state visit comprehensively sums up the depth and breadth of the Indo-US bilateral relationship in the context of … Continue reading Indo-US relations in the present geostrategic context
Research Bill
The approval of the National Research Foundation Bill, 2023, by the Union Cabinet is good news as itpaves the way for the much-awaited National Research Foundation (NRF) envisaged in the National Education Policy, 2020. Earmarking a whopping amount of Rs. 50,000 crore for a period of five years from 2023 to 2028 for the establishment … Continue reading Research Bill
June 26 will always go down in Indian history as the darkest day
It was in the wee hours of this date way back in 1975 that the Congress regime headed by Indira Gandhi clamped down on the emergency, curtailed all Constitutional and democratic rights of the citizens, gagged the press, and put thousands of people behind bars across the country in order to ensure that no one … Continue reading June 26 will always go down in Indian history as the darkest day
Demand-supply gap in blood donation
Hundreds of blood donors, a large number of them women belonging to self-help groups, turned up in a few hours in Odisha to donate blood to over 900 passengers injured and admitted after the Balasore train mishap, reflecting the growing awareness of blood donation in India. Ground realities, however, present a mismatch between demand and … Continue reading Demand-supply gap in blood donation
Q. Present some arguments in favor of and against Jallikattu
[This is password-protected.]
Misuse of the RTI Act
That a section of unscrupulous elements have been misusing provisions of the Right to Information Act 2005 to carry out criminal activities has once again come to the fore, this time in a big way, when the Assam Police arrested a few persons for allegedly extracting money by blackmailing others. It has been reported that … Continue reading Misuse of the RTI Act
GS 2 Model answer on lateral entry to civil services
[This is password-protected.]
no-tobacco campaign
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) data shows that tobacco-related cancers constitute 27% of all types of cancers in India. The ICMR says that the risk of developing cancer can be reduced by avoiding the consumption of tobacco in all its forms at any stage of life. The National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) is … Continue reading no-tobacco campaign
Modi in Japan & Papua New Guinea
There is merit in viewing the world order today as being in a state of flux. Amidst the global uncertainty caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, India remains a powerful voice of reason and sanity. This geopolitical backdrop offers an overview of the rationale for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s three-nation tour to Japan, Papua New … Continue reading Modi in Japan & Papua New Guinea
Fragile peace in Manipur
Violent clashes in Manipur have exposed deep ethnic fault lines in the state. The army and central paramilitary forces, which rushed to the state following the outbreak of violence, incidents of killings, and arsons, have managed to bring the situation under control. This has also allowed the central and state governments to push for confidence-building … Continue reading Fragile peace in Manipur
Park library in Golaghat
A first-of-its-kind ‘park library’ in Assam has come up in Golaghat town where people can browse through books after enjoying a walk The facility has been set up at the Sankardev Udyan here by Akhil Bharatiya Marwari Mahila Sammelan, Assam unit, and an NGO. The library, with a collection of about 150 books in Assamese, … Continue reading Park library in Golaghat
Waris de Punjab
Assam Police strengthened the security chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and they are in touch with the central agencies after a “designated terrorist under Indian law”, who is heading a pro-Khalistan group in the US threatened Sarma in an audio clip alleging torture on the Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh Sandhu’s close aides lodged … Continue reading Waris de Punjab
APSC Mains PYQs of Polity, Governance and International Relations
APSC-Mains-PYQs-of-Polity-Governance-and-International-RelationsDownload
APSC CSAT 2023 Question Paper
csat-2023-paperDownload
APSC Mains 2020 Entire 6 Papers
APSC-MAINS-2020Download
AFSPA extended in Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in parts of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland for another six months. The powers to declare an area as “disturbed” were conferred concurrently upon the Central government along with the States.Home ministry: Currently, the Union Home Ministry issues periodic “disturbed area” … Continue reading AFSPA extended in Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh
PFI ban
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) declared the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its front organizations including its student wing- the Campus Front of India (CFI) as an “unlawful association” under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The MHA issued an order empowering States to notify places associated with PFI and its front organizations … Continue reading PFI ban
Single women get equal abortion rights
In a historic judgment, the Supreme Court allowed unmarried and single women whose pregnancies are between 20 and 24 weeks to access safe and legal abortion care on par with their married counterparts.Key Highlights: The rights of reproductive autonomy under Article 21: It gives an unmarried woman the right of choice as to whether or … Continue reading Single women get equal abortion rights
Encounter deaths in Assam ( 14 Sept)
Assam has occupied the third spot in India in regards to deaths in police encounters. Above Assam, there are only Jammu and Kashmir and Chhattisgarh. According to the data of the union home ministry, Assam had a total of 18 deaths during 2021-2022. Jammu and Kashmir led the table with 45 deaths followed by Chhattisgarh … Continue reading Encounter deaths in Assam ( 14 Sept)
Updated ST list (16 Sept)
In a meeting of the Union Cabinet, on Wednesday, a big decision was taken regarding castes like Gond-Bharia. The Cabinet approved a proposal to include about 15 tribal communities in the Scheduled Tribes list in five states namely Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. Union Minister Arjun Munda gave this information. With … Continue reading Updated ST list (16 Sept)
List of ST updated
The Union Cabinet has recently approved the addition of some new tribes to the list of Scheduled Tribes, from Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. The Hatti tribe in the Trans-Giri area of Sirmour district in Himachal Pradesh, the Narikoravan and Kurivikkaran hill tribes of Tamil Nadu, Gond community from Uttar Pradesh and the Binjhia in Chhattisgarh, who were listed as ST … Continue reading List of ST updated
Local resident of Jharkhand bill
The Jharkhand Cabinet Wednesday approved the draft ‘Local Resident of Jharkhand Bill’ for defining a local, keeping 1932 as the cut-off year for ‘proof of land records’ for the purpose. Why 1932? The draft Bill says the definition of local persons on the basis of ‘1932 khatiyan’ is based upon the fact that “living conditions, … Continue reading Local resident of Jharkhand bill
Legal Reform in Assam
In order to repeal obsolete acts, the state government will introduce a revised Assam Repealing Act, 2022, comprising 48 obsolete Acts, including some introduced as far back as 1793. The Assam Repealing Act, 2022, received the assent of the Governor on May 17, 2022 and was notified on May 20, 2022. The Act, referred to … Continue reading Legal Reform in Assam
Jihadi threat in Assam
Assam police have arrested 35 persons linked with Al Qaeda from different parts of the state recently. Meghalaya Director-General of Police Lajja Ram Bishnoi said in Shillong that after getting the inputs of jihadi activities in Assam, directions have been given to all the police stations and outposts particularly in those areas having borders with Bangladesh … Continue reading Jihadi threat in Assam
Assam leads among states under offences against the state
Assam has topped the list of Indian states, registering cases under ‘offences against the state’ segment, including sedition charges, according to the latest report of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). Assam is followed by Andhra Pradesh with 30 cases of ‘offences against the state’, Jammu and Kashmir with 13 cases and Manipur with 10 … Continue reading Assam leads among states under offences against the state
Mary Roy case
Mary Roy, the mother of author-activist Arundhati Roy, has passed away at age 89 Educator and women’s rights activist Mary Roy was best known for the “Mary Roy” case, the prolonged legal battle that ensured equal property rights for women from Kerala’s Syrian Christian families. Mary Roy mounted a legal challenge to the law after she was … Continue reading Mary Roy case
UNHRC Report on China
A groundbreaking United Nations report published on August 31, 2022, says the Chinese government has committed abuses that may amount to crimes against humanity targeting Uyghurs and other Turkic communities in the Xinjiang region The report by the outgoing UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, contains victim accounts that substantiate mass arbitrary detention, torture, cultural persecution, forced labor, and … Continue reading UNHRC Report on China
Haridwar – best aspirational district
NITI Aayog has declared Haridwar city of Uttarakhand as the best aspirational district on the basis of five parameters. The programme was launched in January 2018 and aims to quickly and effectively transform some of the most underdeveloped districts of the country. Parameters for Best Aspirational District: health and nutrition, education, financial inclusion and skill … Continue reading Haridwar – best aspirational district
Roadmap for India at 100
Economic Advisory Council to Prime Minister has recently released the Competitiveness Roadmap for India@100. The Competitiveness Roadmap for India@100 is based on the framework developed by Professor Michael E. Porter.It is a roadmap for our country’s journey towards its centennial year, identifying the steps required to realize the vast potential and huge ambitions that you … Continue reading Roadmap for India at 100
Delhi Police mandates forensic evidence
Delhi Police has become the first police force in the country to make collection of forensic evidence mandatory in crimes punishable by more than six years. Why has forensic evidence been made mandatory by the Delhi police?To boost the conviction rate and integrate the criminal justice system with forensic science investigation. How will this work?According … Continue reading Delhi Police mandates forensic evidence
Assam tops crime against women chart
According to the latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Assam recorded the highest crime against women in India for the 5th consecutive year. The rate of crime against women in Assam last year was 168.3, while the national rate was 64.5. However, Delhi recorded second with 147.6 and Odisha third with 137.8. The state recorded … Continue reading Assam tops crime against women chart
Full court meeting
Within hours of taking over, the 49th Chief Justice of India U U Lalit called a meeting of the ‘full court’ meeting where the judges discussed how to deal with issues relating to listing and backlog of cases. About ‘full court’ meeting- A full court meeting literally means one which is attended by all the … Continue reading Full court meeting
Assam school drop out
Assam tops the list of school dropout rate at the secondary level in the country. At the primary level also, the school dropout rate of Assam is above the national average. According to UDISE+ (United District Information System for Education plus) survey report of 2020-21, at the primary level the school dropout rate of the … Continue reading Assam school drop out
Constitution bench
Justice U U Lalit(49th Chief Justice of India) assured there will be at least one Constitution Bench functioning throughout the year in the Supreme Court. Constitution bench: It is the name given to the benches of the Supreme Court of India which consist of at least five judges of the court who sit to decide … Continue reading Constitution bench
Nikshay Poshan
Only two-thirds of people living with tuberculosis benefitted from the Nikshay Poshan Yojana scheme in 2021. What is the Nikshay Poshan Yojana? Launched in: 2018 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Under the scheme, every TB patient in India, seeking treatment in both government and private sector hospitals is eligible for a direct benefit … Continue reading Nikshay Poshan
Ulchi Freedom shield
South Korea and the United States began their largest joint military drills since 2017 this week. These joint military drills are designed to test readiness against North Korea’s missile tests The drills, called the Ulchi Freedom Shield, are scheduled to run until September 1. They are tri-service drills involving thousands of troops as well as … Continue reading Ulchi Freedom shield
Taliban regime
The Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, twenty years after their ouster by U.S. troops. Under their harsh rule, they have cracked down on women’s rights and neglected basic services. The Taliban are a predominantly Pashtun, Islamic fundamentalist group that returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021 after waging a twenty-year insurgency. Following … Continue reading Taliban regime
Al Shabab
A fierce gunbattle began after al-Shabaab terrorists bombed a hotel in the heart of Somalia’s capital, with notable death tolls. Who are the al-Shabaab? Al-Shabaab translates as ‘The Youth’ in Arabic.It started as the extremist youth wing of the now-defunct Islamic Courts Union (ICU).ICU was a grouping of sharia courts that seized control of a … Continue reading Al Shabab
Vinbax
3rd edition of VINBAX was concluded at Chandimandir in Haryana with an impressive display of Multi Agency Humanitarian Assistance in Disaster Relief (HADR) demonstration. About the Exercise- It is a Vietnam-India Bilateral Army Exercise.The exercise commenced on 01 August and was focused on deployment of Army Engineer and Medical teams in UN Peacekeeping operations. What made the … Continue reading Vinbax
Medicine from the sky
‘Medicine from the sky’ pilot project drone service was recently launched by the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Pema Khandu. ‘Medicine from the sky’ is also a part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The first successful flight was conducted from Seppa to Chaoyang Tajo in the East Kameng district
Bilkis Bano case
The Gujarat government has released 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano murder and gangrape case of 2002 under its remission and premature release policy.The word remission of a sentence is used to refer to a reduction in the duration of the sentence imposed while the nature of the sentence remains untouched. The word remission of … Continue reading Bilkis Bano case
Scotland makes Period products free
Scotland will become the first country in the world to protect the right to access free period products with a new law which is set to go into effect on Monday. The Scottish parliament introduced the change by unanimously passing the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act in November 2020. The legislation made it a legal right … Continue reading Scotland makes Period products free
Backup Ukraine
project Backup Ukraine is a collaborative effort launched earlier this year that includes the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, or UNESCO, as a partner.The project allows ordinary citizens to use a free smartphone app to scan and produce 3D models of monuments and buildings.Users simply step slowly around an object as the app … Continue reading Backup Ukraine
Course Purchase Query 