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 …