CONTEXT: Recently, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has launched a communications satellite, CMS-01, on board its Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV – C50) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Andhra Pradesh. Previously in November 2020, ISRO launched India’s Earth Observation Satellite, EOS-01, and nine other customer satellites. MAIN POINTS: …

CONTEXT: Recently, the Indian government has invited public comments for introducing adoption of E20 fuel to promote green fuel like ethanol. MAIN POINTS: E20 fuel is a blend of 20% of ethanol with gasoline. The current permissible level of blending is 10% of ethanol, though India reached only 5.6% of …

CONTEXT: Recently, Bitcoin, the cryptocurrency, has crossed 20,000 US dollars in value. Bitcoin’s price has always been volatile, and there is no clear explanation for its current rise.Cryptocurrency is a specific type of virtual currency, which is decentralised and protected by cryptographic encryption techniques. MAIN POINTS: Bitcoin is a type …

CONTEXT: The National Commission for Minorities celebrated World Minorities Rights Day on 18th December 2020. The United Nations on 18th December, 1992 adopted the Statement on the individual’s Rights belonging to religious or Linguistic National or Ethnic Minorities. MAIN POINTS: The National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992 in Section 2(c) …

CONTEXT: Recently, India and Bangladesh have held a virtual summit covering comprehensive discussions on all aspects of bilateral relations and exchanged views on regional and international issues. MAIN POINTS: Sealed seven agreements to expand cooperation in diverse areas viz. hydrocarbons, elephant conservation, sanitation, and agriculture, and restored a cross-border rail …

CONTEXT: Recently, the 35 edition of India-Indonesia Coordinated Patrol (IND-INDO CORPAT) between the Indian Navy and the Indonesian Navy has been conducted. MAIN POINTS: As part of Government of India’s vision of SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region), the Indian Navy has been proactively engaging with countries …

CONTEXT: Recently, an eight-member committee, appointed by the government for suggesting measures for effective implementation of reservation in students admissions and faculty recruitment in the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), has come out with its recommendations. MAIN POINTS: It was chaired by IIT Delhi’s Director and had representatives of secretaries …

Context: The 35th edition of India-Indonesia Coordinated Patrol (IND-INDO CORPAT). About IND-INDO CORPAT: The IND-INDO CORPAT is being conducted between the navies of India and Indonesia. To reinforce maritime links, the two navies have been carrying out CORPATs along their International Maritime Boundary Line since 2002, with the aim of …

Context: Research reveals that Disturbance from North Atlantic could be possible reason why Indian monsoon derails in August. Background: As part of the Government of India’s vision of SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region), the Indian Navy has been proactively engaging with countries in the Indian Ocean …

CONTEXT: Scientists have developed a low-cost super capacitor device with excellent capacitive retention with a novel electrode material they have synthesized, which can pave the way for the next generation high power-high energy storage devices. SUPER CAPACITOR A super capacitor is a high-capacity capacitor with a capacitance value much higher …

CONTEXT: India ranked 131 among 189 countries on the Human Development Index (HDI) for 2019, slipping two places from the previous year, according to the Human Development Report (HDR) 2020 released by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). MAIN POINTS: The 2020 Report has introduced planetary pressures-adjusted Human Development Index, …

CONTEXT: Cabinet approves an MoU between India and the US for exchange of information in areas of mutual interest in the electricity sector. DETAILS: The MoU is between the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), India and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), USA. The MoU will help in improving regulatory and …

CONTEXT: CEO, Prasar Bharati elected Vice President of ABU.Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati has been elected the Vice President of the ABU ASIA PACIFIC BROADCASTING UNION (ABU): The ABU was established in 1964 as a non-profit, non-governmental, non-political, professional association with a mandate to assist the development of broadcasting …

CONTEXT: The AICTE has decided to release the instalment of Rs. 20,000/- as maintenance allowance under the Prime Minister’s Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS). THE PRIME MINISTER’S SPECIAL SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME (PMSSS): Under the PMSSS, the youths of J&K and Ladakh are supported by way of scholarship in two parts namely the …

CONTEXT: Union Minister of Jal Shakti reviews progress made under National Hydrology Project in its mid-term. NATIONAL HYDROLOGY PROJECT: The National Hydrology Project (NHP) was started in 2016 as a Central Sector Scheme with 100% grant to implementing agencies on a pan-India basis with a budget outlay of Rs 3680 …

CONTEXT: India will celebrate 50 Years of Indo-Pak War, also called Swarnim Vijay Varsh on 16 December 2020. Inaugural event of the celebration will be held at the National War Memorial (NWM) in New Delhi which will be attended by the Prime Minister. MAIN POINTS: 1. The National War Memorial …

CONTEXT: Recently, the 5 India Water Impact Summit (IWIS), organised by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) and Center for Ganga River Basin Management and Studies (cGanga) has held virtually. About the Summit: India Water Impact 2020 is a five-day long summit, hosting experts and academicians from all over …

CONTEXT: Recently, the inaugural session of the 12 Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) Summit was organised virtually. MAIN POINTS: Theme: Rejuvenating Resilient Habitats. It’s Purpose serve as a platform to deliberate on innovative technologies and solutions which shall help in creating robust mechanisms for developing sustainable and resilient …

CONTEXT: QCI Launches Recognition Scheme for Hygiene Rating Audit Agencies. KEY POINTS: QCI has come up with a scheme for the approval of Hygiene Rating Audit Agencies to scale up Hygiene Rating by increasing the number of recognised Hygiene Rating Audit Agencies in the country. The scheme aims to allow …

CONTEXT: The Indian Meteorological Society (IMS) and the North Eastern Space Applications Centre organise a 4-day Virtual Symposium on Tropical Meteorology called TROPMET-2020. KEY POINTS: The theme of the event is “Weather and Climate Services over Mountainous Regions”. There would be several talks and lectures by eminent scientists during the …