Sachin Mishra

  Recent Reforms in Defence Sector Part of : GS Prelims and GS -III – Security In news Recently, the Defence Minister released an E-booklet titled ‘20 Reforms in 2020’ highlighting the major reforms undertaken by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in 2020. Structural Reforms : The post of  Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)  was created to increase efficiency & coordination among the Armed Forces and reduce duplication, while  Department of Military affairs (DMA)  was established to ensure improved civil-military integration. Boost to Indigenisation:  To promote ‘Make in India’ in the defence sector, a list of 101 defence items for which there would be an embargo on the import was notified in August 2020, while  Defence Acquisition Procedure  2020 was unveiled in September 2020. The increased partnership with the private sector has led to a substantial rise in defence exports. Funding : There was a 10% budget increase in 2020-21 over the previous ye...

  TEACHERS ELIGIBILITY TEST(Education) Union Education Ministry has decided to extend the validity period of Teachers Eligibility Test (TET) qualifying certificate from 7 years to lifetime with retrospective effect from 2011. About: The respective State Govts. /UTs will take necessary action to revalidate/issue fresh TET certificates to those candidates whose period of 7 years has already elapsed. This will be a positive step in increasing the employment opportunities for candidates aspiring to make a career in the teaching field. TET Teachers Eligibility Test is one of the essential qualifications for a person to be eligible for appointment as a teacher in schools for class I to VIII. The TET is conducted by both the central and state governments of India. Most states conduct their own TET. The Ministry of Education, Govt. of India has entrusted the responsibility of conducting the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) to the Central Board of Secondary Education Delhi. The test ...

  What is Anticipatory bail? Topics Covered:  Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention. What is Anticipatory bail? What to study? For Prelims and Mains: Meaning, features, significance and issues involved. Context : A constitution bench of the Supreme Court has ruled that  an anticipatory bail cannot be limited to a fixed time period and can continue till the end of the trial.   Background: The judgment came in a reference made by a three-judge bench in the case of Sushila Aggarwal v. State of NCT of Delhi regarding the scope of  Section 438 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC)  which provides for grant of anticipatory bail. Observations made by the Court: If there are any special circumstances necessitating a limit on the tenure of anticipatory bail, it is open for the court to do so.  Noth...

  MGNREGA SCHEME The Centre has asked the States to split wage payments under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme into separate categories for the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes and others from this financial year. About: Government of India has decided to provide separate budget heads for SC and ST categories under MGNREGS from the financial year 2021-22 for wage payment. The existing system for wages under the scheme is for only one type that is there is no category wise provision of wage payment. Workers’ rights advocates said this will complicate the payment system, and expressed fears that it may lead to a reduction in scheme funding. MODEL TENANCY ACT The Union Cabinet has approved the Model Tenancy Act for circulation to all States / Union Territories for adaptation by way of enacting fresh legislation or amending existing rental laws suitably. It will help overhaul the legal framework with respect to rental housing across the ...

  Of late,  Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta launched Lamu Port , the country's newest mega infrastructure project. With its second deep-water port after Mombasa , Kenya is  planning to become the go-to port for landlocked Ethiopia and South Sudan.  According to the officials,  full-scale operations will begin in July 2021.  So far,  only two Maersk Shipping Company-operated vessels -- MV Seago Bremerhaven and MV Cap Carmel--  are docked at the Lamu Port.  It is  designed to have 32 berths. The work of the first berth is 100% complete while the second and third berth is expected to be ready by July and October 2021. The  cost of the first three berths is projected to be Sh40 billion.  Branded as a 'Game changer' project , Lamu Port is a  part of the wider US $23 billion Lamu Port South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) corridor  which has been  constructed by China Communications Construction Company.  The t...