Recently, a group of experts under the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concerns over the slow pace of reforms in the criminal justice system to ensure speedy justice. NHRC of India is an independent statutory body established on 12th October, 1993 as per provisions of Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, later amended …

Recently, the Union Government approved the ratification of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on phasing down climate-damaging refrigerant Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). It comes close on the heels of similar decisions by the United States and China, the world’s largest producers and consumers of HFCs. 122 countries had ratified the Kigali Amendment by the …

India, in collaboration with the United Nations (UN), has launched a technology platform to ensure the safety and security of peacekeepers who are operating across the world. The launch of the UNITE AWARE platform came as India assumed the Presidency of the 15-nation UN Security Council for the month of August. Important …

Recently, a new report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has revealed that most of the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) in India remain non-transparent entities when it comes to sharing information with the public. CSE is a public interest research and advocacy NGO based in New Delhi. Important …

Recently, the National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR) under the Ministry of Earth Science has published a report that said one-third of India’s coastline underwent sea erosion in 28 years. As much as 32% of India’s coastline underwent sea erosion and 27% of it expanded between 1990 and 2018. Important points: The country’s coastline is 6,631.53 kilometres …

Recently, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has announced rates of tax refunds under the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme for 8,555 products for the FY 2021-22. Important points: The RoDTEP scheme would refund to exporters the embedded central, state and local duties or taxes that were so far not being rebated …

Recently, during BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) meet, India proposed that NDB’s (New Development Bank) scope be expanded to strengthen Social Infrastructure besides promoting industry. Social Infrastructure includes the construction and maintenance of facilities that support social services such as healthcare, education, and housing. India is the chair of the BRICS grouping for 2021. Important points: It …

Recently, it was announced that the second United Nations World Geospatial Information Congress (UNWGIC) will be held in Hyderabad, India, in 2022. The event would show a glimpse of India’s evolving geospatial ecosystem. Important points: United Nation Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM) To enhance international collaboration among the Member States and …

Recently, the Supreme Court of India (SC) has challenged the government to produce material showing its reasons for introducing the Tribunal Reforms Bill of 2021. The Bill replaces the Tribunals Reforms (Rationalisation and Conditions of Service) Ordinance, 2021which was quashed by the Supreme Court. Important points: There was lack of discussion over the bill, and the …

Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) Collegium, led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) has recommended to the government nine names for appointment as SC judges. The Collegium has for the first time, in one single resolution, recommended three women judges. It has thus sent a strong signal in favour of representation of women in the highest judiciary. Important …

The Odisha Forest and Environment Department is starting ecotourism packages for tourists to islands inside the Hirakud reservoir Cattle island, one of three islands in the Hirakud reservoir, has been selected as a sightseeing destination. Important points: It is located in one of the extreme points of Hirakud Reservoir. It is completely inhabited by wild animals, and without any trace …

Recently, a group of botanists has discovered an algal species with an ‘umbrella head’ from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are home to Coral Reefs and are rich in marine biodiversity. In March 2021 two new red algal Seaweed species were discovered along India’s coastline. Algae Algae are defined as a group of predominantly …

Recently, the statue of Maharaja Ranjit Singh which was installed in 2019, vandalised by a member of radical outfit Tehrik-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), a religious organisation at the Lahore Fort in Pakistan’s Punjab province. Important points: He was born on 13th November, 1780 in Gujranwala, now in Pakistan. He was the only child of Maha Singh, on whose death in …

Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has unveiled the first composite Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index). The annual FI-Index for the financial year ended March 2021 crossed the halfway mark to 53.9, as compared to 43.4 for the year ended March 2017. Important points: The index has been conceptualised as a comprehensive index incorporating details of banking, investments, insurance, postal …

Unregulated inflow of relief to the Sundarbans has resulted in a new crisis in the cyclone-battered region as plastic has been accumulated in the area. The threat posed by plastic is so great for the Sundarbans because the region is witnessing frequent tropical storms, which lead to devastation. Important points: Plastic pollution is caused by the accumulation of plastic waste in …

India is water-stressed due to changing weather patterns and repeated droughts And the worst sufferers of this crisis are mostly women. Water scarcity in India is expected to worsen as the overall population is expected to increase to 1.6 billion by the year 2050. Important points: Although India has 16% of the world’s population, the country possesses …

Recently, a former militant of the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC), was killed in a police encounter that has led to a crisis in Meghalaya. The encounter was reportedly carried out by the police team of East Khasi Hills and East Jaintia Hills. Important points: Meghalaya shares a border with Bangladesh and …

Recently, some environmentalists demanded that Tamil Nadu’s Kadavur Reserve Forest be declared as a Wildlife Sanctuary in order to conserve Slender Loris (Loris tardigradus). The wildlife census conducted during 2016-17 showed an appreciable population of 3,500 slender loris in the Karur Reserve Forest. Important points: The slender lorises (Loris) are a genus of loris native to …

The Union Ministry of Minority Affairs has set a target to provide employment opportunities to 7 lakh 50 thousand artisans, craftsmen through 75 “Hunar Haat”. To be organised across the country, the 75 Haats will be a part of the ‘Amrit Mahotsav’ and will mark 75 years of India’s Independence Also, 75 “Amrit Mahotsav Parks” will be constructed …

Recently, the Ministry for Social Justice and Empowerment has launched an online portal TAPAS (Training for Augmenting Productivity and Services). The idea of TAPAS was conceptualised at a time when exploring the online medium for work and education had become imperative due to the outbreak of Covid 19 pandemic Important points: It offers various courses in …