Drug Controller General Of India (DCGI) gave a restricted emergency use approval to the Zydus Cadila’s ‘Virafin’ for treating the patients showing moderate COVID-19 symptoms. Virafin is a pegylated interferon alpha-2b(PegIFN), which when subcutaneously injected to the patient in the early stages of infection, resulted in their faster recovery. For the …

Satellite-based real-time monitoring of Himalayan glacial catchments would improve understanding of flood risk in the region and help inform an early flood warning system that could help curb disaster and save human lives, says a recent study. This should be the future strategy to reduce loss of human lives during …

The Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCIL) launched its Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) – PowerGrid Infrastructure Investment Trust (PGInvIT). Important points: This is the first time a state-owned entity (PGCIL) is monetizing its infrastructure assets through the InvIT route. This will be only the third InvIT to be listed in …

Recently, a top agriculture economist has suggested that the best chance of Crop Diversification is through animal agriculture/animal husbandry. Important points: Crop diversification refers to the addition of new crops or cropping systems to agricultural production on a particular farm taking into account the different returns from value- added crops …

Recently, India has been ranked 49th in the Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI). Finland has topped the list. Important points: The CGGI is released by the Chandler Institute of Governance which is a private nonprofit organization headquartered in Singapore. The Index classifies 104 countries in terms of government capabilities and …

Recently, the Prime Minister of India and US President had a telephone conversation with assurances exchanged on smoothening out issues related to supply chains for vaccines for Covid-19. The telephone call came in the background of not just flagging supply chain issues with the US with regard to vaccines but …

Recently, Project DANTAK which is one of the oldest Projects of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) commemorated its Diamond Jubilee in Bhutan. Over 1,200 DANTAK personnel laid down their lives while constructing important infrastructure in Bhutan. Important points: Project DANTAK was established on 24th April1961. It was a result of …

Recently, the US President officially recognised the mass killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks in 1915-16 as an act of genocide. The Armenian diaspora marks 24th April as Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day. Important points: According to Article II of the United Nations (UN) Convention on Genocide of December 1948, genocide …

According to the latest data published by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the military spending across the world rose to USD 1,981 billion in 2020, during Covid-19 pandemic. The 2.6% increase in world military spending came in a year when the global GDP shrank by 4.4% largely due to …