According to the S&P Global Ratings, India’s sovereign rating will remain unchanged at the current level of BBB- for the next two years despite the potential adverse impact of surging pandemic on its economy. S&P is one of the largest credit rating agencies, assigning letter grades to companies and countries and the debt they …

Recently, a report, titled Global Methane Assessment: Benefits and Costs of Mitigating Methane Emissions suggested that the world needs to dramatically cut methane emissions to avoid the worst of climate change. The report was released by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Methane is gas that is found in …

Right to Privacy is a Fundamental Right The Government of India recognises that ‘Right to Privacy’ is a Fundamental right and is committed to ensure the same to its citizens. On this issue, Union Minister Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad has stated that “the Government of India is committed to ensure …

The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, and the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson agreed on a common vision of a new and transformational Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the UK and India, and adopted an ambitious India-UK Roadmap to 2030 to steer cooperation for the next 10 years. Both leaders met virtually on 4 May …

Recently, Foreign Ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) countries (USA, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan) held a meeting in London, UK. The 47th G7 Summit will be held in June 2021. The UK is the host country. Important points: Australia, India, South Korea, South Africa and the Chair (Brunei Darussalam) of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Australia, India, South …

Two Tribal settlements (Kattupatti and Kuzhipatti) of Pulayar community within the limits of Anamalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu are gearing up for their annual festival of local deity Vairapattan. Important points: The Pulayar, also Pulaya, or Holeya or Cheramar, are one of the main social groups found in Kerala, Karnataka and in historical Tamil Nadu or Tamilakam. …

Recently, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has notified an Eco Sensitive Zone (ESZ) around the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary (TCFS, Maharashtra). The ESZ is meant to act as a buffer for protected areas and reduces developmental pressures around a wildlife sanctuary or national park.  Important points: It is the second marine sanctuary …

According to a recent study based on fossil leaves, Indian monsoon 25 million years ago resembled present day Australia’s. Understanding the past dynamics of Indian monsoon will help in climate modelling for future monsoon prediction. Important points: The morphological characters of fossil leaves from different geological ages collected from Deccan Volcanic Province, East Garo Hills of Meghalaya, …

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has given permissions to Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) for conducting trials for use and applications of 5G technology. This formally leaves out Chinese companies like Huawei and ZTE from the 5G race in India. Important points: In the initial phase, these trials will be for 6 months, including a 2 month period for procurement …

A technical group on Social Stock Exchanges (SSEs), constituted by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), has submitted its report. SEBI set up the technical group in September, 2020 under the chairmanship of Harsh Bhanwala, former chairman of NABARD. Earlier, a Working Group (WG) on the SSE, chaired by Ishaat Hussain, submitted its report in …