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After nearly three months of debate within the two countries, Finland and Sweden have formally applied for membership of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Changing geopolitics of Europe: The admission of Finland and Sweden to NATO would bring about a transformation in the continent’s security map by giving NATO a contiguous long frontier inRead more

The Supreme Court has held that Union and State legislatures have equal, simultaneous and unique powers to make laws on Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the recommendations of the GST Council are not binding on them. What is the case? The apex court’s decision came while confirming a Gujarat High Court ruling that theRead more

Stagflation or recession-inflation is a combination of stagnant economic growth, high unemployment, and high inflation. It presents a dilemma for economic policy, since actions intended to lower inflation may exacerbate unemployment. It’s an unnatural situation because inflation is not supposed to occur in a weak economy. Causes of stagflation: Oil price rise: Stagflation is oftenRead more

The Supreme Court will hear a challenge to the order of a civil court in Varanasi directing a videographic survey of a temple- mosque complex upholding the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. What are the Places of Worship Act? It is an Act to prohibit conversion of any place of worship and toRead more

Globally, around 80% of wastewater flows back into the ecosystem without being treated or reused, according to the United Nations. This can pose a significant environmental and health threat. As we confront these public health challenges emerging out of environmental concerns, expanding the scope of public health/environmental engineering science becomes pivotal. Methods: A specialised cadreRead more

Floods and landslides have killed three persons and affected more than 56,000 people across eight districts of Assam since May 14. Flood is an overflow of a large amount of water beyond its normal limits, especially over what is normally dry land. NDRF Report: 40 million hectares (10% of the land mass) in India isRead more

The Government of India has banned the export of wheat with immediate effect, considering the need for the support of neighbouring countries to manage the country’s overall food security. The government has placed the export of wheat in the “prohibited” category. Reasons: A rise in global prices for wheat was threatening the food security ofRead more

The Indian rupee fell to an all-time low of 77.44 against the U.S. Dollar. Impact: Positive: Weaker rupee should theoretically give a boost to India’s exports, but in an environment of uncertainty and weak global demand, a fall in the external value of rupee may not translate into higher exports. Negative: It poses risk ofRead more

The report has claimed that climate change is an important emerging driver of change in bird communities and a particular concern for tropical montane, polar, and migratory species. Key findings: The threat has been attributed to almost half of the 10,994 recognised extant species of birds to the expanding human footprint on the natural worldRead more

Power shortages are being reported around the country as coal supplies hit their lowest pre-summer levels in nine years, causing blackouts. Concerns are growing over how India can manage with soaring electricity demand amid record-breaking temperatures this summer. With India having had its warmest March in 122 years, power demand is anticipated to soar atRead more