India has placed an advance order to block 300 million doses of a new Covid-19 vaccine, Corbevax. Important points: It is India’s indigenous Covid-19 vaccine which is currently undergoing Phase 3 clinical trials. It is a “recombinant protein sub-unit” vaccine. It means it is made up of a specific part of SARS-CoV-2 – the spike protein on the virus’s surface. The spike protein allows …

Recently, the government of India has dedicated a window ‘The Green Gold Collection’ on the GeM (Government e-Marketplace) portal for the marketing of Bamboo Goods. This window is the collective work of the National Bamboo Mission (NBM) and GeM. Important points: It showcases a range of exquisitely handcrafted bamboo and bamboo products, handicrafts, disposals and office utility products …

Recently, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment virtually launched the SAGE (Seniorcare Aging Growth Engine) initiative and SAGE portal for elderly persons. An amount of Rs. 100 crore has been assigned for the promotion of the silver economy. Silver economy is the system of production, distribution and consumption of goods and services aimed at using the purchasing potential of older and ageing …

The World Environment Day is observed on the 5th of June annually to encourage awareness and environmental protection. Important points: The United Nations Assembly established World Environment Day in 1972, which was the first day of the Stockholm Conference on the human environment. ‘Ecosystem Restoration’. It will kick off the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) – a global mission to …

The report titled “Glaciers of the Himalayas: Climate Change, Black Carbon and Regional Resilience” says that the glaciers are melting faster than the global average ice mass. However, the strong policy on black carbon can sharply cut glacier melt. The research report is released by the World Bank and covers the Himalaya, Karakoram, and Hindu Kush (HKHK) mountain ranges. Black carbon …

Recently, the International Energy Agency (IEA) published the World Energy Investment Report, 2021. Important points: Global energy investment is expected to rebound in 2021 and increase 10% year-on-year to around USD 1.9 trillion. Most of this investment will flow towards power and end-use sectors, shifting out of traditional fossil fuel production. The scenario is perfectly aligned with …

According to the National Weather Forecasting Centre of the India Meteorological Department (IMD): Status of monsoon as on 30th June 2021 and forecast upto 7th July Southwest monsoon 2021 so far covered most parts of the country except parts of Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana and Punjab. The northern Limit of southwest …

Recently, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has moved Blue-finned Mahseer from Endangered to the Least Concern’ status on its Red List. Important points: The Mahseer belongs to the genus Tor, of which there are several subspecies to be found in India and in other range countries in South Asia. The Blue-finned Mahseer or Tor Khudree is one …

Recently, the Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region has asked for suggestions for the Devika River project in Udhampur, J&K. This project is compared with the Namami Gange Project. Important points: This is a Rs. 190 crore Project. The work on the project was started in March 2019 under the National …

Recently, the Union Minister for Food Processing Industries virtually inaugurated the Indus Best Mega Food Park at Raipur, Chhattisgarh. It is built under the Mega Food Park Scheme. By this food park, about 5000 people will get employment and about 25000 farmers will be benefited. Important points: It was launched in 2008-09 to give a major boost …

Recently, China’s Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) achieved a peak temperature of 288 million degrees Fahrenheit, which is over ten times hotter than the sun. China is not the only country that has achieved high plasma temperatures. In 2020, South Korea’s KSTAR (Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research) reactor set a new record by maintaining a plasma temperature of over 100 …

According to an estimate, 1,250 satellites will be launched annually this decade, with 70% of them for commercial purposes. Various private companies are aiming to deliver broadband satellite Internet around the world through their fleet of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. The idea of a space internet system is not new. It is being used through Geostationary Satellite for selective …

Recently, India and the UK have launched a new workstream to promote industrial energy efficiency under Clean Energy Ministerial’s (CEM) Industrial Deep Decarbonization Initiative (IDDI) coordinated by UNIDO (United Nations Development Industrial organisation). It was launched in the ongoing 12th CEM (CEM12) Meeting, which is virtually hosted by Chile.  Important points: The objective is to …

According to a recent report, as much as 40% of the world’s agricultural crops are lost to pests each year. The United Nations declared 2020 as the International Year of Plant Health, which has been extended until 1st July, 2021. Important points: Half of all emerging plant diseases are spread by global travel and trade, which have tripled in …

Recently, the third edition of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) India Index and Dashboard 2020–21 was released by NITI Aayog. The SDG India Index 2020–21 is developed in collaboration with the United Nations in India. Important points: The NITI Aayog launched its index in 2018 to monitor the country’s progress on the goals through data-driven assessment, and foster a competitive spirit among the …

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the proposal of Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) on “Deep Ocean Mission“, with a view to explore deep ocean for resources and develop deep sea technologies for sustainable use of ocean resources. The estimated cost …

Recently, China has reported the first case of human infection with the H10N3 strain of bird flu in Jiangsu province. Important points: H10N3 is a subtype of the Influenza A virus which is commonly known as the bird flu virus. It is a low pathogenic, or relatively less severe, strain of the virus in poultry and the risk of it …

Recently, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced two new robotic missions to Venus. Earlier, scientists obtained new data about Venus by bouncing radio waves off the planet. Important points: The two sister missions aim to understand how Venus became an inferno-like world capable of melting lead at the surface. DaVinci Plus: It will …

The Union Government approved the signing and ratification of an Agreement on ‘Cooperation in the field of Mass Media’ between all the Member States of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The Agreement was signed in June 2019. It will provide an opportunity for the Member States to share new innovations and best practices in the field of Mass …

Recently, Palestine blamed India for suppressing its human rights of all people as India abstained from the latest resolution on the Palestinian issue. India abstained from voting on a resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) that came up in the backdrop of the latest round of conflict between Israel and Gaza strip, the …