Astronomers exploring the massive intriguing globular cluster in our Galaxy called NGC 2808 that is said to have at least five generations of stars have spotted rare hot UV-bright stars in it. These stars whose inner core is almost exposed, making them very hot, exist in the late stages of …

GS-3 5.ELECTRONIC WASTE MANAGEMENT Citing huge gaps in compliance of electronic waste-management rules, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has recently ordered that scientific disposal of e-waste should beensured as per rules. The direction has been issued to centraland all state pollution control boards. E-Waste E-Waste is short for Electronic-Waste and …

GS-3 4.INDIA INNOVATION INDEX 2020: NITI AAYOG Recently, India Innovation Index Report 2020 was released by NITI Aayogin whichKarnataka retained its top position in the major States category IMPORTANT POINTS: NITI (National In stitution for Transforming India) Ayogwith theInstitute for Competitiveness. The index has b een developed on the lines …

GS-3 3.EXERCISE KAVACH The three wings of the Indian armed forces will be holding a massive joint military exercise ‘ExcerciseKavach’. About Exercise Kavach: The exercise would involve participation of Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy. It will be conducted under the aegis of Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), …

GS-3 2.INDIAN TELECOM SERVICES PERFORMANCE INDICATOR REPORT TRAI releases the Indian Telecom Services Performance Indicator Reportfor the quarter ending July –September 2020. What is the Report? The ‘Indian Telecom Services Performance Indicator Report’ is released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). It provides a broad perspective of the …

GS-2 1.STATEHOOD DAY Meghalaya, Manipur and Tripura celebrate their Statehood Day on 21 January. IMPORTANT POINTS: January 21, 2021 marks the 49th formation day of the north-eastern states of Meghalaya, Manipur and Tripura. The former princely states of Tripura and Manipur were blended into the Indian Union in October 1949 …

GS-3 7.REPORT ON FAECAL SLUDGE AND SEPTAGE MANAGEMENT IN URBAN AREAS NITI Aayog releases Report on Faecal Sludge and Septage Management in Urban Areas: Service and Business Models. IMPORTANT POINTS: The NITI Aayog released a book on faecal sludge and septage management in urban areas. The book was jointly developed …

GS-3 6.NEW TECHNOLOGY USEFUL IN WATER TRANSPORTATION & SELF-CLEANING Scientists develop gold microstructure substrate with tunable wettability useful in water transportation & self-cleaning. IMPORTANT POINTS: Scientists have developed a gold microstructure substrate with the ability to repel water as well as bubbles with tunable wettability, which can be used in …

GS-3 5.HUNAR HAAT The 24th “HunarHaat” of indigenous products of artisans and craftsmen being organised at Avadh Shilpgram in Lucknow. IMPORTANT POINTS: The 24th HunarHaat is being organised by the Ministry of Minority Affairs with the theme “Vocal for Local”. About 500 artisans and craftsmen from 31 States/UTs of the …

GS-2 4. 5TH INDIA – SINGAPORE DEFENCE MINISTERS’ DIALOGUE The 5th Defence Ministers’ Dialogue (DMD) between India and Singapore was successfully held. IMPORTANT DETAILS: Defence and security engagements between India and Singapore have broadened significantly in scale and scope across all three Services of the Armed Forces as well as …

GS-3 3.DEFENCE GEO-INFORMATICS RESEARCH ESTABLISHMENT (DGRE) DRDO inks framework MoU with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) for Geo-hazard Management. MOU DETAILS: The MoU aims to strengthen collaboration in the field of technical exchange and cooperation on sustainable geohazard management. As per the MoU, DRDO and MoRTH will …

GS-3 2.NATIONAL CONFERENCE WITH STATES ON LOGISTICS The National Conference with States on Logistics was organised by the Department of Commerce. OBJECTIVE OF THE CONFERENCE: To initiate a consultative and collaborative framework for the Central and State Governments to work in a coordinated manner in the logistic sector. OUTCOME OF …

GS-3 1.REGULATORY COMPLIANCE PORTAL BY DPIIT DPIIT has launched the Regulatory Compliance Portal in January 2021. IMPORTANT POINTS: In order to translate the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaninto a reality, the next generation of reforms relating to minimizing regulatory burden on businesses and citizens are being taken up by Central Ministries and …

Scientists have developed a gold microstructure substrate with the ability to repel water as well as bubbles with tunable wettability, which can be used in designing microfluidic devices, biosensors and useful in water transportation and self-cleaning. Wettability, or the ability of a liquid to maintain contact with a solid surface, …

GS-2 5.NORTH EAST VENTURE FUND The Ministry of Development of North-East Region has recently given an update on the scheme North East Venture Fund.  IMPORTANT POINTS: Set up by North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Limited(NEDFi) in association with the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region(M-DoNER), the North East Venture …

GS-2  4.CROWDFUNDING FOR RARE DISEASES Recently, the Delhi High Courthas ordered the Ministry of Health and Family Welfareto explore Crowdfundingto help two children, who are suffering from a Rare Diseaseknown as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.  Constitutional Provision Involved: The HC held that ‘Right to Health and Healthcare’is a fundamental rightwhich has …

GS-3 3.ROOFTOP SOLAR SCHEME Recently, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has released an advisory on the rooftop solar scheme. Objective: To generate solar power by installing solar panelson the roof of the houses, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is implementing Grid-connectedRooftop Solar Scheme (Phase II). …

GS-3 2.MEITY QUANTUM COMPUTING APPLICATIONS LAB The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) will establish a Quantum Computing Applications Lab in the country, in collaboration with AWS. Quantum computing is an emerging field that harnesses the laws of quantum mechanics to build powerful tools to process information. It has …

GS-2 1.EXERCISE DESERT KNIGHT-21 Indian Air Force and French Air and Space Force (Armée de l’Airet de l’Espace) will conduct a bilateral Air exercise, Ex Desert Knight-21 at Air Force Station Jodhpur from 20 to 24 Jan 2021. The exercise is unique as it includes fielding of Rafale aircraft by …

Context: DST INSPIRE faculty from Chennai working on alternative anti-cancer therapy using transgenic zebrafish Scientists are exploring an alternative anti-cancer therapy that involves targeting tumor generated the formation of new blood vessels which allow the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the body’s tissues, technically called angiogenesis. Angiogenesis is critical …