Recently, the Prime Minister released the 9th instalment of financial benefit under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Further, the Prime Minister also interacted with farmer beneficiaries during the event. Important points: Under the scheme, the Centre transfers an amount of Rs 6,000 per year, in three equal instalments, directly into the bank accounts of all landholding …

World Tribal Day or International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is observed on 9th August every year. It is aimed at promoting and protecting the rights of the world’s indigenous population and to acknowledge the contributions that indigenous people make towards world issues such as environmental protection. Important points: The day recognizes the first …

The India Plastics Pact, the first in Asia, will be launched in September in collaboration with Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Recently, a report published on closing the plastic circular Gap, suggested that there is a dire need to make large scale global interventions to manage plastic waste. …

Recently, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released the first part of its Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) titled Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. It is prepared by the scientists of Working Group-I. The two remaining parts would be released in 2022. It noted that global net-zero by 2050 was the minimum required to keep the temperature rise to 1.5 …

Recently, Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has secured Patent registration for its innovative Plastic-mixed Handmade Paper developed to reduce plastic menace from nature. Important points: The plastic-mixed handmade paper (which is recyclable and eco-friendly) was developed under Project REPLAN (REducing PLAstic from Nature). The project was launched in September 2018 as part of KVIC’s commitment to Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan It …

Recently, the Income Tax (I-T) Department notified three official email IDs to register grievances, under the Faceless or e-Assessment Scheme. The Prime Minister in August 2020 announced three key structural tax reforms under the ‘Transparent Taxation – Honouring the Honest’ platform- faceless assessment, faceless appeal and taxpayers’ charter to reduce tax disputes. …

Recently, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has launched ‘PM-DAKSH’ (Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi) Portal and ‘PM-DAKSH’ Mobile App to make the skill development schemes accessible to the target groups – Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Safai Karamcharis. Important points: PM-DAKSH Yojana is being implemented from the year 2020-21. Under this, eligible target groups are …

Recently, the former foreign secretary of India, Vijay Gokhale in his book claimed that the Left parties in India were influenced by China in their decision to oppose the Indo-US nuclear deal. Although with the Indo-US nuclear agreement, India got a special Nuclear Supplier Group (NSG) waiver, the progress of Greenfield projects is slow. Greenfield Projects: A greenfield project …

Recently, the Union Minister of State for Rural Development has informed in Rajya Sabha about the various steps taken by the government for implementation of the Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY). Important points: The scheme was launched in 2014 on the birth anniversary of Jai Prakash Narayan. Under the Yojana, Members of Parliament (MPs) are responsible …

Recently, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance has noted the delays in corporate insolvency under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016. It has called out the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) on persistent vacancies in National Company Law Tribunals (NCLTs). Earlier, the government introduced the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment Bill), 2021 in the Lok Sabha …

On 8th Aug 2021, India completed 79 years of Quit India Movement also known as August Kranti. Important points: On 8th August 1942, Mahatma Gandhi gave a clarion call to end the British rule and launched the Quit India Movement at the session of the All-India Congress Committee in Mumbai. Gandhiji gave the call “Do or Die” in his speech delivered at the …

Recently, India has proposed to convene an open debate of the UN Security Council (UNSC) on enhancing maritime security. The objective of this debate is to highlight effective international maritime cooperation to respond holistically to natural and manmade threats to maritime security. It also reflects India’s international evolution as a maritime nation. Important points: With …

The year-long celebrations marking 150 years of Abanindranath Tagore will be started soon, with a host of online workshops and talks paying tributes to the leading light of the Bengal School of Art. Important points: Abanindranath Tagore took birth in a family of Tagores of Jorasanko in Kolkata in 1871. He was a nephew …

Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) expressed displeasure against the Central government by asking whether it intends to “close” tribunals across the country by not filling up vacancies that have been pending for years. Important points: Tribunal is a quasi-judicial institution that is set up to deal with problems such as resolving administrative or tax-related disputes. It …

Recently, Rajya Sabha has passed the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order (Amendment) Bill, 2021. The bill provides for modifying Part-XVIII of the Schedule to the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950, relating to the state of Arunachal Pradesh. Important points: It seeks to amend the constitutional list of Scheduled Tribes as recommended by Arunachal Pradesh. At present, there …

Recently, the Government of India has introduced The Taxation Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2021 in the Lok Sabha. The bill seeks to withdraw tax demands made using a 2012 retrospective legislation to tax the indirect transfer of Indian assets. Important points: The retrospective tax law was passed in 2012 following a Supreme Court verdict in favour of …

Recently in a Deputy National Security Adviser-level meeting hosted by Sri Lanka, India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives have agreed to work on “four pillars” of security cooperation. The four areas covers marine security, human trafficking, counter-terrorism, and cyber security. The meeting which was held under the Colombo Security Conclave, saw Bangladesh, Seychelles and Mauritius participating in the role of observers. Important points: Soon …

In the past, the Obama and Trump administrations had supported a permanent seat for India on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). However, the recent statements by the State Department under the new US President Joe Biden, reflects an ambiguous or half-hearted view on this issue. Important points: The US supports a reformed Security Council that …

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has provided financial assistance of Rs. 99.49 crores to the States and Union Territories (UTs) for the E-Prisons Project. Also, acting on the request of the MHA, NIMHANS, an Institute of National Importance, has recently issued a set of guidelines on the management of mental health issues of the prisoners and prison …

India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM) visited Iran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of new Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. This marks a landmark event attempting to reset the ties with Iran that have been under strain in recent times. This is EAM’s second visit in a month and it comes amid a sharp escalation of the fighting in Afghanistan between …