The Hindu
GS2: Polity
- No SC, ST, OBC quota for NRIs for NEET The Kerala High Court, raises the question of whether NRIs are eligible for community quota.
- Declare cow the national animal, says Allahabad HC The Allahabad High Court said that the cow should be declared the national animal and that gau raksha (cow protection) should be included as a fundamental right of the Hindus.
GS2: Social Justice
- Caste census needed for Muslims too Backward Class Muslims can avail themselves of reservations only in the OBC category.
GS2: International Relations
- What did America achieve in Afghanistan in 20 years? The Taliban were not America’s main enemy and defeating them was not its primary objective.
- Where liberalism and nationalism are placed in Asia Liberalism and nationalism mean different things to different people, and the two concepts are often considered mutually exclusive.
GS3: Economy
- GST collections dip in Aug., but Finance Ministry sees growth. Gross Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenues in August fell to ₹1.12 lakh crore from ₹1.16 lakh crore collected the previous month.
- Split accounts to tax EPF income: Ministry The government has decided to split existing Provident Fund (PF) accounts into two separate accounts in order to operationalise the new tax on PF income.
- August manufacturing PMI shows recovery losing steam India’s manufacturing recovery lost momentum in August with the survey-based Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) sliding to 52.3. from July’s 55.3.
- SBI raises ₹4,000 cr. via bonds at 7.72% State Bank of India (SBI) said it raised ₹4,000 crore via Basel-compliant Additional Tier 1 bonds at a coupon rate of 7.72%.
- Govt. tells utilities to ship in coal as demand surges India has urged utilities to import coal despite having the world’s fourth-largest reserves,with several power plants on the verge of running out of fuel due to a surge in power demand.
- Gauging household income key for microfinance clients The microfinance movement in India is set to receive another dose of impetus with the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) recently released Consultative Document on Regulation of Microfinance in June 2021.
- Fleeting cheer The latest GDP estimates expectedly show that national output rebounded in Q1 of the current fiscal from the record contraction in April-June 2020, when the pandemic’s onset and the lockdown gutted the economy.
GS3: Environment
- Assam wetland at risk till dumping stops: activists Green activists in Assam say that the Environment Ministry’s recent notification on the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of the Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary is meaningless unless the government puts an end to the dumping of garbage near the wetland.
- India must commit to net zero emissions. The country will need to take a stand on climate change action or risk being cast globally as an outlier.
GS3: Security
- High honour for Naval Aviation Ram Nath Kovind to award President’s Colour to INS Hansa, based in Goa.
- 200 Army personnel for Zapad exercise A contingent of 200 Army personnel will participate in the multinational Exercise ZAPAD 2021 being held at Nizhniy, Russia from September 3 to 16.
Indian Express
GS2: Polity
- HC seeks Centre response on plea seeking LS Dy speaker election The Delhi High Court granted time to the Centre to state its stand on a PIL alleging inaction by Constitutional functionaries in not holding election to the post of Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha.
GS2: Governance
- Inter country adoptions: Delhi HC seeks report from WCD Ministry. The Delhi High Court has asked the Ministry of Women and Child Development for a report on the issue of no permanent mechanism for inter country adoption within two months.
GS2: Health
- DCGI gives node for phase 2/3 trials of biological E’s covid vaccine on 5-18 age group. The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) granted permission to Hyderabad-based Biological E Limited to conduct phase 2/3 clinical trials of its ‘Made in India’ COVID-19 vaccine on children aged between 5 and 18 years with certain conditions.
GS3: Economy
- Rabi season, polls ahead: Fertilisers stock deplete after dip in imports Stocks of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), muriate of potash (MOP) and other major non-urea fertilisers have dipped sharply.
- IMF allocated $17.86 billion to India under SDR The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has made an allocation of special drawing rights (SDR) 12.57 billion (equivalent to around $17.86 billion at the latest exchange rate) to India.
- GST Council meet on Sept 17: Rate on COVID item in focus. The Council is expected to review concessional rates on Covid-related essential items and discuss the compensation structure going ahead.
GS3: Environment
- Rly net zero target could cut 15mn tonnes of CO2 emissions save Rs 17000 crs: Report. Indian Railways set a target in 2020 to become the world’s first net-zero emissions railway by 2030.
- Assam removes Rajiv Gandhi name from Orang National Park. Assam government announced that the Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park (the oldest game reserve in the state located on the north bank of the Brahmaputra) will be known as the Orang National Park.
- Weather disasters soar in number, cost but death falls UN. The number of disasters, such as floods and heatwaves, driven by climate change have increased fivefold over the past 50 years according to the UN agency.
- Climate Solution The only way to tackle the climate crisis is by working together, sharing information and experience, and providing mutual support.
