• Corona: BF.7 sub-variant causing havoc in China. Indian government also issued advisory.
  • EcoPill1D-Insurance/ pension/ financial inclusion: ​​National Pension System (NPS) – the return on investment depends on the performance of share market. Many government employees protesting against this and want to revert back to Old Pension scheme. However, now PFRDA working on a system MARS- minimum assured return scheme wherein minimum 4–5% interest will be guaranteed annually.
  • Ethics : ‘Bikini Killer’, Charles Sobhraj, the notorious serial killer released from Kathmandu prison after 20 years on on “humanitarian grounds”. Nepal government allow for 25 per cent waiver on the punishment awarded to any convict above 65 years of age. 🤔Points to Reflect: should infamous prisoners be released on humanitarian grounds, for example, killers of Rajiv Gandhi and Charles Sobhraj? What should be the yard line between punishment and mercy?
  • Ethics/Child Rights: NCPCR- National Commission for Protection of Child Rights issued notice to BYJU’S e-learning company after allegations that BYJU’S has purchased student database and then calling them with threats that their future will be ruined, If they (students) do not join the their (Byjus) coaching program. However Byju has denied these allegations.
  • IR/Defense: ITBP to cameras with a zoom-in feature of 100 megapixel for surveillance on Chinese border. ITBP is responsible for guarding 3,488 km of the India-China border and manning 180 Border Out Posts (BOPs) at altitudes ranging from 9,000–18,750 ft in the western, middle and eastern Himalayas -from Karakoram Pass in Ladakh to Bum La in Arunachal Pradesh. The Army guards land along the Line of Control with Pakistan, with the BSF -and the Line of Actual Control with China, with the ITBP.
  • Polity: Dhanuhar, Dhanuwar, Kisan, Saunra, Saonra and Binjhia communities added in the list of Scheduled Tribes in Chhattisgarh.
  • Polity: Changes to the Co-ops Act The Bill, now referred to a Joint Committee of Parliament. ⚾️📻⚾️🎙✋ we’ll not do much PHd. Basic features will be given in monthly PDf.
  • Polity: comparing Constitution- Swiss government on rejected the idea of introducing a third gender option or no-gender option for official records. Swiss government said the binary gender model is still strongly anchored in Swiss society. 🤔Points to Reflect: Government of India has passed a law for protection of third gender/‘other category’ option provided in Indian passport, Indian Voter id card and Government exam forms. Proving India is more progressive and liberal compare to Switzerland.
  • Polity: New Delhi International Arbitration Centre (NDIAC) was setup in 2019 thru an ordinance. NDIAC has been declared to be an institution of national importance. 7 Member body with chairman who is is ex-SC/HC judge or an eminent person. NDIAC helps in arbitration for domestic and international cases. Topic is in news because a new chairman has been appointed.
  • Polity: Rule 267: Under Rule 267 of Rajya Sabha’s Rules of Procedures and Conduct of Business, a listed business of the day can be suspended to take up an urgent matter with the Chair’s approval. But RAJYA SABHA Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar rejected two notices under Rule 267 of the House for discussion on 1) border issue with China and 2) rising prices of essential commodities and said they were not in order.
  • Polity: secularism, rights of women: Imam Shabbir Ahmed Siddiqui of the Jama Masjid in Ahmedabad ordained that Muslim women should not be given election tickets. He has claimed that Islam itself is against women coming out in the open and hence, it is against them standing for elections and campaigning or even visiting mosques for prayers.
  • Quote: content of a book holds the power of education and it is with this power that we can shape our future. — MALALA YOUSAFZAI
  • TALIBAN government passes order to ban women from studying in universities.