Headlines of the Day 16-02-2024

PIB,  Indian Express, AIR

HeadlineSourceSyllabusKey points to know
SC strikes down electoral bonds scheme, calls it unconstitutionalThe Hindu(Page 1)
Indian Express(Page 12)
Indian Express(Page 13)
Polity and Governance (GSII)

– What is the electoral bonds scheme?
– What are the key findings of the Supreme Court’s verdict with respect to electoral bonds?
‘India has rejected demand for data exclusivity in drug development in FTA talks’The Hindu(Page 1)IR (GSII)

– What is the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)?
– Its significance for India 
INSAT-3DS mission to be launched from Sriharikota tomorrowThe Hindu(Page 6)S&T (GSIII)– What is the INSAT-3DS mission?
– Its objectives
Places of worship and an unsettling judicial silenceThe Hindu(Page 10)Polity and Governance (GSII) 
– What are the key provisions of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act 1991?
– Its significance, concerns and the way forward
Is it ethical to use AI to clone voices for creative purposes?The hindu(Page 11)S&T (GSIII) / Ethics (IV)– What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Ethical and creative challenges associated with the use of AI
– What is the way forward? 
Thousands in Leh protest for Ladakh’s full Statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule.The Hindu(Page 12)Polity and Governance (GSII) – What is behind Ladakh’s unrest?
– How has the reorganisation impacted the demography, ecology, and identity of Ladakh?
Why did Kosovo face delays in Schengen approval?The Hindu(Page 12)
IR (GSII)– What is the Schengen zone?
– Its significance
India, Nepal sign pact to link UPI, NPI The Hindu(Page 17)
IR (GSII)– `What is UPI?
– Recently, India, Nepal signed a pact to link UPI, NPI. What will be its significance?
Global meet urges India to augment pulses production to meet nutritional needsThe Hindu(Page 16)

Economy (GSIII)– What is the Global Pulses Conference?
– Key facts related to the production of pulses 
New drug to treat chronic kidney disease gets approvalThe Hindu(Page 16)S&T (GSIII)– What is the Jardiance (empagliflozin)?
– Its significance
Indian martial arts training for Army post Galwan clashThe Hindu(Page 16)
Defence (GSIII)
– What are the various forms of Martial arts in India?
– Its significance
Tepid farm sector growth to weigh on rural demand: ICRAThe Hindu(Page 17)

Economy (GSIII)– Why India’s farm sector Gross Value Added (GVA) is likely to see little or no growth in the second half of 2023-24?
– Its likely implications
The diversity blindspot in health policyThe Hindu(Page 22)Health (GSII)– What does ‘centralisation’ of the health policy mean?
– Its impacts
Will endometriosis be exempt from the gender pass over?The Hindu(Page 22)

Health (GSII) / S&T (GSIII)

– Endometriosis: Its causes, symptoms and treatment
Strategic AIFs may be excluded from RBI’s evergreening rulesThe Hindu


Economy (GSIII)

– What are alternative investment funds (AIFs)?
– How are they regulated in India?
Making a case for developer-led responsible renewable energy projectsThe Hindu



Environment (GSIII)– What is renewable-energy (RE)?
– Its significance for India
Four-day festival to celebrate 18th-century Urdu poet Meer Taqi Meer begins in CapitalIndian Express(Page 4)
History (GSI)– Who was Meer Taqi Meer?
– His contributions
Jan Bharat RangIndian Express(Page 10)Art and Culture (GSI)– What is Jan Bharat Rang?
– Key facts related to it
Daily struggles of ordinary men and women do not find a place in the government’s interim BudgetIndian Express(Page 13)Economy (GSIII)– What were the major highlights of the Interim Budget 2024?
– Where it lacked and what more could have been done?
India emerges as top buyer of Venezuelan crude oil in December, JanuaryIndian Express(Page 15)IR (GSII) / Economy (GSIII)– What is the significance of Venezuela for India?
– Key areas of cooperation between the two nations
Rashtirya Krishi Vikas YojanaPIBEconomy (GSIII) / Polity and Governance (GSII) – What is Rashtirya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)?
– Its significance
Coal/Lignite Gasification Projects in IndiaPIBPolity and Governance (GSII)  / Economy (GSIII)– What is the government doing to promote the Coal/Lignite Gasification Projects in India?
National Coal IndexpibEconomy (GSIII)– What is the National Coal Index?
– Its significance
‘Sangam: Digital Twin’ initiativepib
Economy (GSIII)– What is the ‘Sangam: Digital Twin’ initiative?
– Its significance