Recently, the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has launched India’s first manned ocean mission “Samudrayaan” in Chennai. With this Unique Ocean Mission, India joined the elite club of nations such as the US, Russia, France, Japan, and China to have niche technology and vehicles to carry out subsea activities. Important points: It is India’s first unique manned ocean …

Recently, the SWAMIH (Special Window for Affordable & Mid-Income Housing) fund has made its first complete exit from an investment made for completion of a residential project in Mumbai. It has already completed over 1,500 homes in seven projects and is on track to complete at least 10,000 homes every year. Important …

The Centre’s flagship rural employment scheme (MGNREGA) has run out of funds halfway through the financial year. This means that payments for MGNREGA workers as well as material costs will be delayed, unless the States dip into their own funds. Earlier, the government introduced the category-wise wage payment system for SC, ST and others, as …

Recently, the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) released the Accidental Deaths & Suicides in India Report 2020. Important points: The report divides suicides into nine categories — apart from daily wagers, housewives and people working in the farm sector, the deaths are listed under ‘professionals/salaried persons’, ‘students’, ‘self-employed persons’, ‘retired persons’, and ‘others’. NCRB …

Recently, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)’s Emissions Gap Report 2021 has been published. This is the twelfth edition of the UNEP Emissions Gap Report It informs that the new national climate pledges combined with other mitigation measures put the world on track for a global temperature rise of 2.7°C by the end of the century. Important points: Following …

Recently, the Central Government has notified the Indian Telegraph Right of Way (Amendment) Rules, 2021. The rule aims to incorporate the provisions related to nominal one-time compensation and uniform procedure for establishment of Overground Telegraph Line in the Indian Telegraph Right of Way Rules, 2016. Important points: The amount of one-time compensation for …

Recently, the Supreme Court has directed the Supervisory Committee to take an immediate and firm decision on the maximum water level that can be maintained at Mullaperiyar dam amidst torrential rains in Kerala. The Ministry of Jal Shakti has constituted a three-member Supervisory Committee to settle the issue of Mullaperiyar dam between Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Important points: For Kerala, where it is …

Recently, an MLA from UP was elected Deputy Speaker of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly. Article 93 of the Constitution provides for the election of both the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Article 178 contains the corresponding position for Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of a state. Important points: …

Recently, a report named G20 Climate Risk Atlas from the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change (CMCC) has said that G20 (Group of 20) countries including the wealthiest like the US, European countries, and Australia will bear extreme impacts of climate change over the coming years. The first study of its kind, it provides climate scenarios, information, data and future …

Recently, government officials have revealed that India and the European Union (EU)are set to resume negotiations for a Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA). The BTIA talks have been suspended since 2013. However, at India-EU Leaders’ Meeting earlier this year, both countries agreed to relaunch free trade negotiations for the BTIA and also adopted a …

Recently, the government has reconstituted the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) under the leadership of Dr. BibekDebroy for a period of two years after its term came to an end in September 2021. Important points: EAC-PM is a non-constitutional, non-statutory, independent body constituted to give advice on economic and related issues to the Government …

Recently, the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) has launched an e-National Level Awareness Programme SAMBHAV. Important points: It is a mass outreach programme under the Ministry of MSME in which students from different colleges/ITIs from all parts of the country will be encouraged by 130 field offices of the Ministry to take up entrepreneurship. During the campaign …

Recently, Indian Scientists have designed a photochemical method (Photocatalyst) to convert Carbon Dioxide (CO2)to Methane (CH4). A photochemical method is a chemical reaction initiated by the absorption of energy in the form of light. Important points: A polymer has been designed to absorb visible light and catalyse the reaction which reduces CO2. Most catalysts contain toxic and …

Recently, the Union Minister of Civil Aviation has released KrishiUdeDeshKaAamNaagrik (UDAN) 2.0 to facilitate movement of agricultural produce by air. It lays out the vision of improving value realization through better integration and optimization of agri-harvesting and air transportation and contributing to agri-value chain sustainability and resilience under different and dynamic conditions. Earlier, ahead of UDAN Day (21st October), the Ministry …

Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) has appointed an expert committee [to be overseen by a retired apex court judge (Justice Raveendran Committee)] in the Pegasus case Under the case, the Union Government is alleged to have used spyware for surveillance on private citizens. Important points: The court rejected the government’s plea to set up …

Recently, the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) has developed a poly-herbal medicine called Mastirak Gel to treat Mastitis in Dairy Cattle. NIF is an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), which renovates indigenous technologies based on farmer’s wisdom. Important points: It can improve the udder (Milk producing part) health. It reduces inflammation which is detrimental to …

Recently, the Ministry of Defence has signed a deal with the US Government for procurement of MK 54 Torpedo and Expendable (Chaff and Flares) for the Indian Navy, under Foreign Military Sale (FMS). FMS is the U.S. Government’s program for transferring defense articles, services, and training to its international partners and international organizations. Expendables are something which can be consumed …

Recently, the Union Minister of Finance participated in the 6th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). Important points: Appreciated AIIB’s prompt actions in providing financial support to Member Countries, including India, in their efforts to contain and combat Covid-19. Emphasised the importance of multilateral banks in supplementing countries’ efforts to cope …

Recently, a report titled “Mapping India’s Climate Vulnerability – A District-level Assessment” has been released by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) (not-for-profit policy research institution). The report has also launched the first-of-its-kind Climate Vulnerability Index. The index has analysed 640 districts in India and found that 463 of these are vulnerable to extreme floods, droughts …

According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Greenhouse Gas Bulletin, the abundance of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere once again reached a new record last year (2020), with the annual rate of increase above the 2011-2020 average. This is despite the approximately 5.6% drop in fossil fuel CO2 emissionsin 2020 due to restrictions related to the pandemic. Earlier, the WMO released …