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Showing posts from May, 2020

What is Article 30 of the Indian Constitution

Indian Constitution has provisions of fundamental right from article 12 to 35. Part-3 of the constitution talks about the fundamental rights given to the citizens of the country. In this article, we have explained the constitutional provisions of article 30. Article 30 of the Indian constitution grants many rights to the religious or linguistic minorities in the country. Some social media posts are creating confusion about the provisions of this article.  These posts claim that article 30A prohibits the teachings of Bhagvat Gita, Vedas and Puranas in the Indian schools while article 30 allows the teaching of the Quran, the Hadis in the Madarsa. We read the Constitution of India for this investigation, we found that there is no article in the Constitution named '30A'. As far as article 30 is concerned, this article is about the right of minorities to establish and run educational institutions. The term ‘minority’ is not clarified in the Indian constitution. According

Water crisis in India amidst the COVID-19 lockdown: All you need to know

The water crisis in India amidst the COVID-19 lockdown: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has issued an advisory to state governments to ensure the safe drinking water supply during the countrywide lockdown due to COVID-19. The Government of India is taking many preemptive measures to combat and to contain the deadly virus. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has issued an advisory to state governments on drinking water, keeping in view the coronavirus pandemic. The advisory was issued to ensure the safe drinking water supply during the countrywide lockdown due to COVID-19.   MoHFW advisory to States  It is known that frequently washing our hands with frothing soaps is the most effective and efficient measure so far to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. Thus, keeping in view the seriousness of the virus, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued an advisory to the State Governments to ensure availability of safe potable water to al

What is Solar Minimum and its impact on Earth?

The Sun is a yellow dwarf star and is the heart of the solar system. It is a hot ball of glowing gases. The Sun is said to have in a stage of Solar Minimum. What is the solar minimum and its impact on Earth? Let us study in detail. The sun appears mostly same day-in-day-out, year after year. But this is not true. The sun does change. The surface of the sun has sunspots which are strongly magnetized and they crackle with solar flares. The magnetic explosions illuminate Earth with flashes of X-rays and ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, we can say that the sun is a seething mass of activity. What is Solar Minimum? Approximately every 11 years, the sun goes through a natural solar cycle. It is marked by the increase and decrease of sunspots. Let us tell you that the sunspots are visible on the surface of the sun or photosphere as dark blemishes. According to NASA, the greatest number of sunspots in any given solar cycle is designated as "Solar Maximum" and opposite to

India-Australia Defence Pact: All you need to know

India-Australia Defence Pact: India and Australia are expected to sign an agreement to swap islands to counter China's aggression in the Indian Ocean. This agreement could boost Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) for India and Australia. India and Australia are expected to sign an agreement to swap islands to counter China's aggression in the Indian Ocean. This agreement could boost Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) for India and Australia. The virtual meeting between Prime Minister Modi and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison on June 4, 2020, could lay the foundation for the use of India's Andaman and the Nicobar Islands by Australia and Australia's Cocos Islands by India for military purposes.  The Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA) was expected to be signed during PM Morrison's visit to India but was called off due to the Australian bushfires. India has signed similar logistic agreements with the US, Singapore, France and South Korea.  Importance

What are Consol Bonds?

Consol Bonds: Consol Bonds are fixed-income bonds without a maturity date and are also known as perpetual bonds. Consol Bonds are considered as a type of equity and the investors will be paid a steady stream of interest forever. The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic and the consequential lockdown have impacted the Indian economy. The government is finding new ways to deal with the economic distress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Before imposing the lockdown, the government passed the Budget for the fiscal year 2020-2021. A deficit of Rs. 7.96 lakh crore was projected and it was estimated to increase by a huge margin due to the current pandemic. Keeping this situation in view, monetary policy needs to be introduced by the government to ease the economic distress. Many experts have suggested that Consol Bonds are a suitable option for India to deal with the current economic situation.  What are Consol Bonds? Consol Bonds are fixed-income bonds without a maturity date and are al

IAF inducts LCA Tejas: All you need to know about the 18 Squadron aircraft

The Indian Air Force (IAF) operationalised its second LCA no. 18 Squadron 'Flying Bullets'. The aircraft is produced by HAL and has all the capabilities of IOC (Initial Operational Clearance) variant. On May 27, 20202, the Indian Air Force (IAF) operationalised its second LCA no. 18 Squadron 'Flying Bullets'. The aircraft is produced by HAL and has all the capabilities of IOC (Initial Operational Clearance) variant. In addition to this, the FOC (Final Operational Clearance) variant comes with air-to-air refuelling capability, close combat gun, additional drop tanks, BVR missile capability, updated avionics and flight control software suite.  LCA Tejas is the lightest and smallest aircraft in its group of fourth-generation supersonic combat aircraft. Air Chief Marshal (ACM) R.K.S. Bhadauria, received the first FOC standard LCA from HAL in a function held at Air Force Station in Tamil Nadu. Before the ceremony, ACM flew an aircraft from the Squadron No. 45 'Flyi

Foreign Exchange Reserves: Meaning, Composition,Purpose and Benefits

Foreign exchange reserve is consists of foreign currency assets, gold, Special Drawing Rights (SDR), and reserve position in the IMF. The total size of the Indian foreign exchange reserve was US$ 487039 million in May 2020. What is the meaning of Foreign Exchange Reserves? Foreign exchange reserves are assets like foreign currencies, gold reserve, SDR, and deposits with IMF, treasury bills, bonds, and other government securities. This reserve is held to provide back up support to the government liabilities like; various bank reserves deposited with the central bank by the government or financial institutions and issuance of local currency by the Central Bank.  RBI is the custodian of the Foreign exchange reserves in India. Most foreign exchange reserves are held in U.S. dollars, while China being the largest foreign currency reserve holder in the world. Its forex reserve was US$ 3,091,459 million (US$ 3 trillion)  followed by Japan with US$ 1,368,567 million. It sounds good t

GK Questions and Answers on Plasma Therapy

A study says that Plasma from recovered coronavirus patients boosts other's survival rate. Do you know about Plasma Therapy? Let us solve a quiz based on Plasma Therapy. Several clinical trials are going on for COVID-19 treatment and one such is Plasma Therapy.  1. Which is the largest part of the blood? A. Red Blood Cells B. White Blood Cells C. Plasma D. Platelets Ans. C Explanation:  The blood is made up of liquid and solids. The liquid part is known as plasma which is made up of water, salt and protein. Over half of the blood is plasma. The solid part of the blood contains red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. 2. Plasma Therapy is also known as..... A. Convular Plasma Therapy B. Convalescent Plasma Therapy C. Coviscule Plasma Therapy D. Functional Plasma Therapy Ans. B Explanation:  Plasma Therapy is also known as Convalescent Plasma Therapy (CPT). It can be a possible treatment for COVID-19. 3. Which of the following statement is/are correct about Plasm

GK Quiz on Swadeshi Movement during British India

Swadeshi Movement is also known as Make in India campaign with the aim to use goods that are produced in India and burning of British made-goods. Here, we are giving 10 GK Questions and Answers on Swadeshi Movement during British India, which is designed according to the evolving nature of different competitive examination. The Swadeshi Movement had its genesis in the anti-partition movement which was started to oppose the British decision to partition Bengal.  The formal proclamation was made on 7 th  August, 1905 with the passing of the Boycott resolution in a meeting at the Calcutta town hall, which brought about the unification of the hitherto dispersed leadership. Even Bal Gangadhar Tilak encouraged Swadeshi movement and Boycott movement after the British government decided the partition of Bengal. 1. Who was the Viceroy of India during Swadeshi Movement? A. Lord Curzon B. Lord Irwin C. Lord Willingdon D. Lord Lansdowne Ans: A 2. Who among the following is not th

Rural Development Programmes

The term rural is relating to, or characteristic of the countryside rather than the town. Rural Development is the process of improving the quality of life and economic well-being of people living in rural areas, often relatively isolated and sparsely populated areas. Here, we are giving the list of Rural Development Programmes in India that gives extracted revision capsule for the aspirants of different examinations and also for the general readers. The term rural is relating to, or characteristic of the countryside rather than the town. Rural Development is the process of improving the quality of life and economic well-being of people living in rural areas, often relatively isolated and sparsely populated areas. Here, we are giving the list of Rural Development Programmes in India that gives extracted revision capsule for the aspirants of different examinations and also for the general readers. List of Rural Development Programmes in India Rural Development Programme Year