Indo-UK Naval Exercise, ‘Konkan 2021’ was recently held between INS Tabar and HMS Westminster in the English Channel. The English Channel is located between the Isle of Great Britain’s southern coast and France’s northern coast and separated from the North Sea on the north by the Strait of Dover. Important points: The Bilateral Konkan exercise is a naval exercise conducted between India …

Recently, as per the age-old tradition related to the annual Amarnath pilgrimage, the holy mace (Chhari Mubarak) of Lord Shiva was brought to the ancient Shankaracharya Temple. Important points: It is also known as the Jyesteshwara temple or Pas-Pahar by Buddhists. Persians and Jews call it Bagh-i-sulaiman or the Garden of King Solomon. Persian inscriptions are also found inside …

Recently, India has decided to vaccinate Afghanistan returnees against Polio for free as a preventive measure against the Wild Polio Virus. Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only two countries in the world where polio is still Endemic. Important points: Polio is a crippling and potentially deadly viral infectious disease that affects the nervous system. There are three individual and …

According to a recent study, more than 3,56,000 people died in 2019 as a result of extreme heat and that number is likely to grow in the future. Recent heat waves across the world have been alarming in terms of global warming and have been attributed to climate change. Important points: Heat wave is a condition of air temperature …

Recently, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has identified certain geological sites across the Northeast for promotion of geo-tourism. 12 locations in the Northeast have been included in the 32 approved geo-tourism or geo-heritage sites in the country. Important points: Geo-heritage refers to the geological features which are inherently or culturally significant offering insight to earth’s evolution or history to earth …

A new research paper has provided some new insight on the linguistic culture of the Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) Earlier, a study found that the diet of the people of IVC had a dominance of meat, including extensive eating of beef. In July 2021, UNESCO announced the Harappan city of Dholavira in Gujarat as India’s 40th world heritage …

Recently, the Ministry of Finance has launched ‘Ubharte Sitaare’ Alternative Investment Fund to facilitate debt and equity funding to export-oriented MSMEs (Micro Small and medium Enterprises). The fund is expected to identify Indian enterprises with potential advantages, but which are currently underperforming or unable to tap their latent potential to grow. Alternative Investment Fund Anything alternative to traditional forms of …

The Karez System of Afghanistan is in threat whereas a similar system named Surangam in South India is thriving. Surangams resemble the karez System both in structure and spread. Important points: The surangam or suranga is usually found in northern Kerala and southern Karnataka. Surangam is basically a tunnel dug through a laterite hillock from …

Recently, the Narayankoti temple (Uttarakhand) has been included under the Centre’s Adopt a Heritage project Important points: Launched on 27th September, 2017 (World Tourism Day), it is a collaborative effort by the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), State/UTs Governments. To develop tourism amenities at heritage/ natural/ tourist sites spread across India to make …

Recently, the Ministry of New and Renewable (MNRE) has conducted a review of implementation of Prime Minister’s Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme and Rooftop Solar Programme Phase-II and suggested measures for expansion of the schemes. Important points: The PM-KUSUM scheme was launched by the MNRE in 2019, to support installation of off-grid solar pumps …

Amid the rising demand of import of wool, shepherds in Uttarakhand will get a batch of lambs through crossbreeding of sheep indigenous to the region with Australian Merino sheep by the end of the year. Australian Merino sheep are known to have the softest and finest wool used for apparels. The …

Recently, the Ministry of Defence launched the 5th edition of the Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC) under Innovations for Defence Excellence – Defence Innovation Organisation (iDEX-DIO) Thirty-five problem statements – 13 from the Services and 22 from Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) – were unveiled under DISC 5.0. Some of which are: Situational awareness, augmented reality, Artificial Intelligence, aircraft-trainer, non-lethal devices, 5G …

Recently, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO has released a report on the impacts of climate change and extreme weather in Latin America and the Caribbean. 2020 was a year of unprecedented heatwaves, droughts, forest fires, cyclones and food insecurity for the region The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in its sixth assessment report had highlighted the impact of climate change on the Indian Subcontinent. …

Recently, a document published by ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) named Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas shows that Land Degradation and Desertification has increased significantly in recent years. The Atlas provides a state wise area of degraded lands for the time frame 2018-19. It also provides the change analysis for the duration of 15 years, from …

Recently, a team of researchers have discovered a new species of cascade frog in Arunachal Pradesh named Adi Cascade Frog. Earlier, a new frog species named Minervarya Pentali was discovered in the Western Ghats. Important points: It is a predominantly brown colour frog, with a size ranging roughly between 4 cm to 7 cm. …

Recently, the Department of Biotechnology has launched the fifth edition of the National Bio Entrepreneurship Competition (NBEC). NBEC is conducted as a part of the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) Regional Entrepreneurship Centre, established at Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) in partnership with BIRAC. BIRAC is a Public Sector Enterprise, set up by the Department …

Recently, the Incel Movement has been linked to serious violence around the world. The movement came into the spotlight yet again in the UK’s Plymouth, where a 22-year-old man shot dead five people, including a toddler. Important points: It is a dangerous online subculture comprising men who identify as ‘involuntary celibates’ and regularly express …

Recently, the Prime Minister has inaugurated various projects in Somnath, Gujarat under PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive) scheme at a total cost of over Rs 47 crore. Important points: The Somnath Exhibition Centre, developed on the premises of ‘Tourist Facilitation Centre’, displays the exhibits from dismantled parts of the old …

Recently, the Ministry of Home Affairs has informed that nearly 6,800 people lost their lives in the country (West Bengal tops the list) over the past three years due to hydro-meteorological calamities such as flash floods, landslides and cyclones Important points: Natural hazards are severe natural phenomena or events, broadly classified in two categories: hydro-meteorological and geological hazards. Tropical cyclones, heavy rainfall, severe thunderstorms, floods and …

Recently, a political leader claimed that the Moplah rebellion, also known as the Mappila riots, of 1921 was one of the first manifestations of the Taliban mindset in India. Important points: Moplahs/Mappilas: The name Mappilla (lit. son-in-law; anglicized form Moplah) is given to Malayali-speaking Muslims who reside along the entire length of the Malabar Coast of …