GS-3  5.RASTRIYA KAMDHENU AAYOG Recently, the RastriyaKamdhenuAayog has announced ‘KamdhenuGau-VigyanPrachar-Prasar Exam’ with an aim to “infuse curiosity” among people about the importance of cows, and to “sensitise and educate” them about the bovine species. IMPORTANT POINTS RastriyaKamdhenuAayog is an agency under the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying)established for …

GS-1 4.ANUBHAVA MANTAPA IN BASAVAKALYAN Recently, the Chief Minister of Karnataka has laid the foundation stone for the ‘New AnubhavaMantapa’ in Basavakalyan, the place where 12th century poet-philosopher Basaveshwara lived for most of his life. ABOUT THE NEW ANUBHAVA MANTAPA: It will be a six-floor structure in the midst of the 7.5-acre plot and represent various …

GS-3 3.PAYMENT INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT FUND SCHEME Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced the operationalisation of the Payment Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) scheme. OBJECTIVE: Develop payment acceptance infrastructure in tier-3 to tier-6 cities (centres), with a special focus on the north-eastern states of the country. The fund will be operational for three years effective from 1st January, 2021 and may be extended …

GS-2 2.LONGITUDINAL AGEING STUDY OF INDIA Recently, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has released the Longitudinal Ageing Study of India (LASI) Wave-1 Report on the virtual platform. ABOUT LASI: It is a full scale national survey of scientific investigation of the health, economic, and social determinants and consequences of population ageing in India. It …

GS-3  1.SULFUR DIOXIDE EMISSION NORMS DELAYED The Ministry of Power has proposed pushing back the deadlines for adoption of new emission norms by coal-fired power plants, stating “an unworkable time schedule” would burden utilities and lead to an increase in power tariffs. India initially had set a 2017 deadline for thermal power plants to comply with emissions standards …

Context: The National Capital Region of Delhi experienced 4 small earthquakes during April – August 2020 According to the National Centre for Seismology of the Ministry of Earth Sciences: The National Capital Region of Delhi experienced 4 small earthquakes during April – August 2020, with the first event of magnitude …

GS-3 5.FREIGHT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PORTAL: RAILWAYS The Ministry of Railwayshas launched an exclusive portal to promote and develop the railways’ freight business – Freight Business Development Portal. With passenger train services suspended due to the coronavirus crisis, the railways is banking heavily on freight revenues for its earnings. The Dedicated …

Context: Preliminary survey shows deposits of Lithium in Mandya district of Karnataka. The Government today said that preliminary surveys on surface and limited subsurface by Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), a constituent unit of Department of Atomic Energy have shown Presence of Lithium resources of 1,600 tonnes …

GS-1 4.YAKSHAGANA Recently a Yakshagana artiste died while performing on stage. KEY POINTS Yakshagana is a traditional theatre form of Karnataka. It is a temple art form that depicts mythological stories and Puranas. It is performed with massive headgears, elaborate facial make-up and vibrant costumes and ornaments. Usually recited in …

GS-3 3.ASIAN WATERBIRD CENSUS The two-day Asian Waterbird Census-2020 has commenced in Andhra Pradesh under the aegis of experts from the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS). IMPORTANT POINTS: Every January, thousands of volunteers across Asia and Australasia visit wetlands in their country and count waterbirds. This citizen scienceprogrammeis the Asian …