Author: Kunal Khureja

For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction The massive fire that broke out at the Bhalswa landfill site in Delhi on April 26 has not been completely dozed off yet. The residents, staying near the landfill have informed the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) that poisonous fumes are entering their homes which are causing breathing problems. A… Continue reading Rising Frequency of Landfill Fires – Explained, pointwise

For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction Nature is all the animals, plants, and other things in the world that are not man-made. It also includes all the events and processes that are not caused by people. It plays a pivotal role in the overall development and wellbeing of an individual. It provides multiple resources to humans… Continue reading Relevance of Nature for Human Health – Explained, pointwise

For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction The Supreme Court will take up for final hearing the petitions challenging the constitutional validity of Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code dealing with the offence of sedition. The bench headed by the Chief Justice has asked the Union Government to file its reply by the end of the… Continue reading Sedition Law in India (Section 124A IPC) – Explained, pointwise

For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction Indonesia, the world’s biggest producer, exporter, and consumer of palm oil, will ban all exports of the commodity and its raw materials from April 28. The objective behind this decision is to reduce domestic shortages of cooking oil and bring down its skyrocketing prices. India is already grappling with record-high… Continue reading Palm Oil Crisis and its Implications for India – Explained, pointwise

For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction India and the United Kingdom have shared historic ties for several centuries. India-UK have a Strategic Partnership since 2004. The India-UK relationship is multi-faceted spanning across trade and economy, health, science & technology, defence & security, people-to-people relations, climate change and close cooperation on multilateral issues. The Prime Minister of… Continue reading India-UK Relationship – Explained, pointwise

For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction Russia’s attack on Ukraine has led to sudden rise in global commodity prices. Russia is the largest exporter of natural gas, fertilizers and wheat. It’s the second largest exporter of oil after Saudi Arabia. In terms of coal, it is the third largest exporter globally. The supply of these commodities… Continue reading Coal Shortage in India – Explained, pointwise

For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction The pandemic has tested the resilience of the global community on various fronts such as whether it can unite to ensure the availability of COVID-19 medical products for everyone. In this regard, India and South Africa, in October 2020, gave a clarion call at the World Trade Organization (WTO) demanding… Continue reading COVID-19 Vaccine and TRIPS IP Waiver – Explained, pointwise

For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction State Bank of India has raised the marginal cost of funds-based lending rates (MCLR) for the first time in three years. SBI raised the MCLR by 10 basis points (bps) across tenures to 7.1% (from 7% earlier). Other public sector and private banks are set to raise MCLRs in the… Continue reading Marginal Cost of Funds-based Lending Rates (MCLR) – Explained, pointwise

For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction The Union Ministry of Law and Justice recently notified the Delhi Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Act, 2022. It seeks to amend the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957 passed by Parliament. According to the new Act, the three MCDs—East Delhi Municipal Corporation, South Delhi Municipal Corporation and North Delhi Municipal Corporation—will be merged… Continue reading Delhi Municipal Corporation (Amendment) Act, 2022: Provisions, Benefits and Concerns – Explained, pointwise

For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction The Indian Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) in Jamnagar on April 19, 2022. Traditional medicines products abound globally and the Centre will go a long way in enhancing wellness in society. It aims to harness the potential… Continue reading Global Centre for Traditional Medicine – Explained, pointwise

For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction Apple recently announced that consumers will have the right to purchase spare components of their products. This has been done after an order of the Federal Trade Commission of the United States. The order directs manufacturers to remedy unfair anti-competitive practices and asks them to make sure that consumers can… Continue reading The Right to Repair – Explained, pointwise

For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction The war in Ukraine has brought the spotlight on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). NATO was formed in the aftermath of the Second World War by the Western powers in response to the rise of the USSR. The rapid all-round progress made by the USSR, a planned socialist economy,… Continue reading NATO: Historical Context and its Role in Ukraine Conflict – Explained, pointwise

For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction India and Australia enjoy excellent bilateral relations that have undergone transformational evolution in the recent years. The countries have a special partnership characterized by shared values of pluralism, parliamentary democracies, commonwealth traditions, long standing people-to-people ties and increasing high level interaction. The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership initiated during the India-Australia Leaders’… Continue reading India-Australia Trade Agreement – Explained, pointwise

For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction UNEP’s Frontiers Report identifies and explores areas of emerging or ongoing environmental concern. The 2022 edition delves into three issues: noise pollution in cities, the growing threat of wildfires and shifts in seasonal events – such as flowering, migration and hibernation, an area of study known as phenology. The report… Continue reading Noise Pollution: Causes, Effects and Remedies – Explained, pointwise

For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction Language is any formal system of gestures, signs, sounds, and symbols used or conceived as a means of communicating thought. It is a tool for our intellectual and emotional expression. UNESCO has recognized India as one of the most linguistically diverse countries. As per census 2011, more than 19,500 languages… Continue reading Endangered Languages in India – Explained, pointwise

For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction The economic crisis in Sri Lanka has been unprecedented for the island nation. The crisis has been characterized by high inflation and severe shortage of fuel and electricity. High foreign debt, fall in foreign currency reserves, devaluation of currency and series of lockdowns have adversely impacted the economic growth. The… Continue reading Economic Crisis in Sri Lanka – Explained, Pointwise

For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction Two months after signing a draft resolution on January 29, Assam and Meghalaya partially resolved a 50-year-old dispute along their 884.9 km boundary on 29th March 2022. It was facilitated by the Union Home Minister who urged the States to resolve their boundary disputes by August 15, 2022, when the… Continue reading The Assam-Meghalaya Boundary Dispute Resolution – Explained, pointwise

For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction The Criminal Procedure (Identification) Bill, 2022 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 28, 2022. The Bill allows the police to collect, store and analyze physical and biological samples of certain persons. The government has come up with the new Bill to aid the investigation process and improve the… Continue reading Criminal Procedure (Identification) Bill: Features, Benefits and Concerns – Explained, pointwise

For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction The 5th Bay of Bengal Multi Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit would occur on 30th March 2022 in a virtual mode and hosted by Sri Lanka, the current BIMSTEC chair. To prepare for the Summit, meetings of BIMSTEC Senior Officials (SOM) took place on 28 March 2022 followed… Continue reading 5th BIMSTEC Summit – Explained, pointwise

For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction The value of India’s goods exports in the FY2021-22 hit $400 billion in March 2022 which is the highest till date and is expected to reach US$ 410 billion by the end of the month. It adds another feather in the cap of the Indian Economy and shows its potential… Continue reading India’s Exports Reach US$ 400 billion: Reasons, Challenges and Way Ahead – Explained, pointwise

For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction The IPCC data show that the atmospheric CO2 concentrations today are higher than at any time in the prior two million years. The temperatures today have exceeded those in the last 6,500 years. Gentler summers have been replaced by intense heat waves. In 2003, Europe experienced 47°C. In 2016, India… Continue reading Heat Waves: Rising Frequency and Intensity – Explained, pointwise

For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction The National Pension Scheme (NPS) was introduced on January 1, 2004 for all employees of the Union Government appointed on or after this date. Most State governments also adopted this scheme for their staff. However, some states are having a re-think and planning to revert to the old pension scheme,… Continue reading Comparison of National Pension Scheme with Old Pension System – Explained, pointwise

For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction March 24 is observed as the World Tuberculosis day. The day is designed to build public awareness about the global epidemic of tuberculosis and efforts to eliminate the disease. It is a preventable and curable disease, but it continues to impact the lives and development of millions of children and… Continue reading Combating TB: Lessons from COVID-19 – Explained, pointwise

For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction Education is the foundation stone for overall well-being of an individual. Realizing this, the government is undertaking numerous reforms in the spirit of the New Education Policy. On March 21, 2022, the University Grants Commission (UGC) announced the introduction of the Central University Entrance Test (CUET), which is now mandatory… Continue reading Central University Entrance Test: Benefits and Concerns – Explained, pointwise

For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction The India Australia relationship has undergone rapid evolution in recent years, developing along a positive track, into a strategic partnership. The two nations have much in common, underpinned by shared values of a pluralistic, Westminster-style democracies, Commonwealth traditions, expanding economic engagement and increasing high level interaction. Recently, the 2nd India-Australia… Continue reading India-Australia Bilateral Relationship – Explained, pointwise

For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction A three-judge Bench of the High Court of Karnataka has pronounced its verdict on the petitions related to the row over wearing of hijab by female students in educational institutions. The bench ruled that wearing of hijab (head scarf) by Muslim women does not form a part of essential religious… Continue reading Karnataka High Court Judgment on Hijab – Explained, pointwise

For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction The Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in India has declined by 10 points as per a special bulletin released by the Registrar General of India. It has declined from 113 in 2016-18 to 103 in 2017-19 (8.8 % decline). This is a laudable achievement considering the relevance of MMR in determining… Continue reading Maternal Mortality Ratio in India: Status, Challenges and Way Forward – Explained, pointwise

For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction The Supreme Court had approved the Cheetah Reintroduction in India in January 2020. Since then the wildlife enthusiasts have been ardently waiting to see cheetahs in the wild in India. The COVID-19 pandemic had delayed the process especially due to the emergence of the Omicron variant in South Africa from where… Continue reading Cheetah Reintroduction in India – Explained, pointwise

For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction Several recents incidents have highlighted the hazards associated with Nuclear Energy. First, there was an attack near the Nuclear Power Plant in Zaporizhzhia in Ukraine (Europe’s largest Nuclear plant). In South Korea, a wildfire approached the Hanul Nuclear Power Plant triggering high-level alert and ‘all-out efforts’ to avoid a nuclear… Continue reading Nuclear Energy: Status, Advantages and Concerns – Explained, pointwise

For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction The Union Cabinet has approved the creation of a new company to hold and monetise surplus land and buildings of the government agencies and the Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs). The concept of National Land Monetisation Corporation (NLMC) was earlier announced by the Finance Minister of India in her budget… Continue reading National Land Monetisation Corporation (NLMC): Functions and Benefits – Explained, pointwise

For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction In November 2021, the Chief Minister of Bihar and some key public servants renewed an oath to never consume liquor and pledged to undertake steps for the implementation of the liquor ban across the state. On that same day, the Director General of Police (DGP) Bihar administered an anti-liquor oath… Continue reading Prohibition of Liquor: Benefits and Challenges – Explained, pointwise

For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction The UN has given the theme ‘Gender Equality today for a Sustainable Tomorrow’ for the International Women’s Day 2022 on March 08. The day is celebrated to sensitise masses regarding the immense contribution of females towards our society and their under-utilised potential across the globe. The true capabilities of women… Continue reading Female Labour Force in India – Trends and Challenges – Explained, pointwise

For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction The Russian invasion of Ukraine has been met with myriad sanctions imposed by many western nations. Imposing economic sanctions is often seen as an alternative to military intervention and escalation of conflict. The idea is that sanctions cause economic damage and coerce the target to change its objectionable course of… Continue reading Sanctions and their Effectiveness – Explained, pointwise

For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction The Indian defense manufacturing industry is a significant sector for the economy. The industry is likely to accelerate further with the rising concerns of national security. Demand for defense equipment has been growing as India prepares to modernize its forces with rising threat perception of a two-front war. The international… Continue reading India’s Defense Manufacturing Sector: Challenges and Opportunities – Explained, pointwise

For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction Among the Indians waiting to be evacuated from Ukraine following the Russian invasion, majority are students who had been pursuing medical education from Ukraine. According to the Ukraine’s Ministry of Education and Science, there are around 18,095 Indian students in the country. In 2020, 24% of Ukraine’s overseas students were… Continue reading Medical Education in India and Associated Issues – Explained, pointwise

For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction The latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has been released on 28th February, 2022. It is the second part of IPCC Sixth Assessment Report. The report has warned of multiple climate change-induced disasters in the next two decades even if strong action is taken to reduce… Continue reading The IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (Part 2) – Explained, pointwise

For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction On 24th February 2022 the Russian troops invaded the Ukrainian territory from three sides and the Russia-Ukraine conflict is getting intensified with every passing day. The Russian attack has sent shock waves across the world and created hardships for native Ukrainian citizens as well as the diaspora of foreign countries… Continue reading The Russia-Ukraine Conflict – Explained, pointwise

For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction The World is currently witnessing a very unpleasant situation in the Eastern European region. The Russian troops have invaded Ukraine and are advancing towards the capital city of Kyiv. The Western nations including the U.S, the UK and Germany etc. have imposed economic sanctions on Russia but they haven’t been… Continue reading India-Russia Trade Relationship Post Russia-Ukraine Crisis – Explained, pointwise

For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction Plastic waste management is becoming a challenging task for countries across the globe and India is no exception to it. The use of plastic is on rise while its disposal and safe management hasn’t been commensurate with increased usage. This has resulted in creation of landfills on land and garbage… Continue reading Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022 – Explained, pointwise

For 7PM Editorial Archives click HERE → Introduction Throughout history, the society has undergone profound changes in power dynamics and political ideals that have transformed individual lives as well as the idea of the collective. But the modernizing forces have been biased against the marginalized sections including dalits. This is testified by the continued existence of manual scavenging… Continue reading Manual Scavenging – Explained, pointwise