Current Affairs

1. INDIA-RUSSIA SIGN    PROTOCOL      ON       NUCLEAR         REACTORS AGREEMENT –

• India and Russia have strengthened their long-standing nuclear cooperation with the signing of a protocol amending the 2008 intergovernmental agreement.
• The agreement focuses on the construction of additional nuclear reactors at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project site and the development of Russia-designed nuclear power plants at new locations in India.
• Signatories: Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom State Corporation, and Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission of India and Secretary of Department for Atomic Energy of the Government of India.
• Location: Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project site.

 

2. INDIA RANKS 38TH OUT OF 139 COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD BANK’S LPI REPORT 2023 –

• India’s logistics performance has seen remarkable improvements, as indicated by its rank in the Logistics Performance Index (LPI) Report by the World Bank. Through collaborative efforts among various ministries and departments, alongside the implementation of key policies and initiatives, India is advancing towards enhancing its competitiveness globally.
• India has significantly climbed in the Logistics Performance Index (LPI) ranking, securing the 38th position out of 139 countries, according to the World Bank’s report.
• This progress reflects a substantial leap from its previous positions of 44 in 2018 and 54 in 2014, underscoring the nation’s commitment to bolstering its logistics infrastructure and efficiency.
• An Inter-Ministerial team has been established to spearhead targeted action plans, focusing on all six LPI parameters: Customs, Infrastructure, Ease of arranging shipments, Quality of logistics services, Tracking and Tracing, and Timeliness.
• This concerted effort aims to address key areas for improvement and drive significant enhancements in India’s logistics landscape.
• The National Committee for Trade Facilitation (NCTF) plays a pivotal role in streamlining processes and driving reforms.
• With the NTFAP 2020-23 guiding its efforts, NCTF has identified 27 action points under the working group on infrastructure upgradation, further bolstering India’s trade facilitation agenda.

 

3. UTTARAKHAND PIONEERS        UNIFORM        CIVIL    CODE IMPLEMENTATION IN INDIA –

• Uttarakhand has marked a significant milestone in India’s legislative history by becoming the first state to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). This groundbreaking move was initiated by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, with the state Assembly passing the UCC Bill. The UCC aims to standardize laws governing personal matters like marriage, divorce, inheritance, and more across all citizens, irrespective of their religion.
• The journey towards implementing the Uniform Civil Code in Uttarakhand began with the formation of a high-level committee led by retired Supreme Court judge, Justice Ranjana P Desai. This committee was tasked with drafting the UCC, which laid the foundation for the Bill passed by the Uttarakhand Assembly.
• The adoption of the UCC in Uttarakhand comes just months before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, signalling a significant political move. It is reported that the Union Government, along with other BJP-ruled states like Gujarat and Assam, is considering introducing similar laws at the national level. The UCC aligns with the BJP’s foundational agenda, which includes the abrogation of Article 370 and the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.