UKPCS 2024 MAINS GS VI PAPER ON UTTARAKHAND.

BJP notched 48 seats out of 70 seats in Delhi assembly elections. It voteshare increased by 10%.
The result shows that voters expect more than the 'freebies'.

They have the right to breath unpolluted air, right to clean water, good roads not potholed ones, not to be surrounded by heaps of uncleared garbage & overflowing drains.

Voters were also convinced that 'Double engine sarkar' would be beneficial to them.

This shows that voters have become more pragmatic, aspirational & demanding.

For decade AAP has been locked in a constant battle with Lt Governor. Also enquiries on Delhi Excise policy, Sheesh Mahal controversy worked in denting AAP's image.

The results also show faultlines in INDIA Bloc, between AAP & Congress.

#DelhiAssemblyelections #result #reasons

China's Belt & Road Initiative (BRI):

Panama recently announced termination of its MOU on BRI.

This announcement comes as US President Trump threatened to take back the Panama Canal.

Under BRI , China has made huge investments in various countries by extending loans to them for infrastructure. The BRI projects are also criticised for being debt traps as many countries are struggling to pay the debts.
#BRI #BeltandRoad #China #Panama

प्रयागराज महाकुंभ 2025 में आगामी 16 फरवरी से तीन दिवसीय इंटरनेशनल बर्ड फेस्टिवल का किया जायेगा आयोजन, 200 प्रजातियों के पक्षियों का होगा संगम.
#InternationalBirdFestival #Mahakumbh #Prayagraj

Status: Uttarakhand at 6th position as on 10th feb 2025.
It finished at 25th position in 37th National games.

Uttarakhand Chief Justice asks what is wrong in regulating live-ins: ‘What if there is a child born out of this relationship?’ | India News - The Indian Express
https://indianexpress.com/article/india/uttarakhand-chief-justice-wrong-regulating-live-ins-child-born-out-relationship-9832421/

Uttarakhand secured 7th position in 38th National games with 24 gold, 35 silver & 43 bronze medals. Total Medal tally of Uttarakhand -102.

President's rule has been imposed in Manipur. The state has been roiled by ethnic violence since May 2023.

Earlier Congress had threatened to bring a no-confidence motion against N Biren Singh government.

This is the 11th (last being in 2001-02) such imposition of President's rule in the state placing the state assembly under suspended animation. 

 President's rule :
Article 356, provides for the imposition of President’s Rule in the State if the President, based on the report from the State Governor, is satisfied that the government of the State cannot be carried in accordance with the Constitutional provisions.

#President'srule #Manipur

Key takeaways from Indo-US joint statement:
1) ASIA ( Autonomous System Industry Alliance) - India -US cooperation in the area of underwater domain awareness technology.

2) COMPACT ( Catalysing Opportunities for Military Partnership, Accelerated Commerce & Technology) - for transformative change across defence, investment & trade, energy security, technology etc.

3) MISSION 500 - aiming more than double bilateral trade to $500 bn by 2030.

4) US support for India to join IEA ( International Energy agency) as full member.

5) Accelerating AI infrastructure.

6) Strategic Mineral Recovery Initiative - new India-US program to recover & process critical minerals.

Climate mitigation, renewable energy, clean energy supply chains were missing from Indo-Us joint statement.
Focus is back on fossil fuels.
US , 2nd largest GHG emitter withdrew from Paris agreement, second time under Trump.

#US #India #jointstatement

Selection of new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC):

Act : CEC & Other Election Commissioners ( Appointment, Conditions of Services & Terms of Office ) 2023.

Provision under the Act : CEC & ECs have to be selected by Selection Committee either from the panel of 5 names given by Search Committee chaired by Law Minister or any other person outside the panel.

Selection Committee : comprises PM Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah & Leader Of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi.

Search Committee : Law Minister & 2 secretaries of GOI to prepare panel of 5 persons for consideration of Selection Committee.

#CEC #ECs #Selection

What is a Micro Financial Institution (MFI)?

Micro Finance Institution (MFI) is a non-deposit taking NBFC (Non Banking Financial Company) having not less than 85% of its assets in the nature of qualifying assets which satisfy the following criteria:

a. loan disbursed by an NBFC-MFI to a borrower with a rural household annual income not exceeding ₹ 1.25 lakh or urban and semi-urban household income not exceeding ₹ 2 lakh

b. Maximum loan amount could be Rs. 1.25 lakh

c. tenure of the loan not to be less than 24 months (for loan amount in excess of ₹ 15,000) with prepayment without penalty

d. loan to be extended without collateral

*18th February 2025 News Headlines*

❖ India & Qatar Sign Two MoUs: On 17th February 2025, India and Qatar signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to enhance business and investment collaboration during the visit of Qatar’s Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

❖ ISRO Develops World's Largest 10-Tonne Vertical Planetary Mixer: On 13th February 2025, ISRO achieved a major milestone with the successful development of the world's largest 10-tonne Vertical Planetary Mixer, crucial for India's space missions.

❖ PM-AASHA Scheme Extended Until 2025-26: On 17th February 2025, the Centre approved the continuation of the PM-AASHA scheme to ensure fair prices for farmers and stable commodity prices for consumers until 2025-26.

❖ Matsya-6000 Completes Wet Testing: On 17th February 2025, Matsya-6000, India’s fourth-generation deep-ocean submersible, successfully completed its wet testing as part of the Samudrayan Project under the Deep Ocean Mission.

❖ ‘AI for Entrepreneurship’ Initiative Launched: On 17th February 2025, the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, NSDC, and Intel India launched the ‘AI for Entrepreneurship’ micro-learning module to empower 1 lakh youth by 2025.

❖ NAKSHA Pilot Program Launched: On 18th February 2025, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the NAKSHA pilot program for urban land survey, aiming to modernize land survey processes and reduce disputes.

❖ Conclave Wins Best Film at BAFTAs: On 16th February 2025, Conclave won Best Film, Outstanding British Film, and Best Adapted Screenplay awards at the BAFTA Film Awards, while The Brutalist won Best Director and Best Actor awards.

❖ Gulfood 2025 Begins in Dubai: On 17th February 2025, Gulfood 2025, one of the largest food trade exhibitions, began in Dubai, featuring over 5,500 exhibitors, with India showcasing 370 companies.

❖ Gyanesh Kumar Appointed Chief Election Commissioner: On 17th February 2025, the Central government appointed Gyanesh Kumar as the new Chief Election Commissioner, succeeding Rajiv Kumar, effective 18th February.

Trump on Ukraine:

Officials from Washington & Moscow to hold talks in Saudi Arabia on peace agreement between Russia- Ukraine. However Kyiv has not been invited. Also French President is convening an emergency meeting of European leaders on the issue.

This shows Trump's intention on getting along with Russia. US Defence Secretary last week dismissed return of one-fifth land of Ukraine occupied by Russia.
Further Trump even said that Ukraine 'may be Russian' one day.

Trump's plan stands in sharp contrast to Europe's commitment to Ukraine's sovereignity. Europe is hosting an emergency summit in its backdrop.

India's position vis a vis these developments:

India is committed to its ties with US & France. Russia is its reliable partner & welcomes any step that deters Russia-China close bond.

#IR #US-Russia

Rekha Gupta becomes the new Chief Minister of the NCT of Delhi.
She represents the Shalimar Bagh constituency in the Delhi Legislative Assembly.

Fourth woman to hold this position.

UP PCS Notification 2025