Recently, a micro snail species named Georissamawsmaiensis has been discovered in Mawsmai Cave in Meghalaya. Important points: The new species is unique from Georissasarrita (a member of the same genus discovered in 1851) in its shell morphology, starting from shell size variation to the presence of four very prominent spiral striations (a minute groove, scratch) on body …

Recently, the Union government has renamed Mount Harriet of Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) Islands to Mount Manipur. Important points: Mount Harriet, the third-highest island peak in A&N Islands, where Manipur’s Maharaja Kulchandra Singh and 22 other freedom fighters were imprisoned during the Anglo-Manipuri war (1891). It has been renamed in a tribute to those freedom fighters of Manipur. …

Recently, the US Defence Secretary has urged more defence cooperation among friendly Black Sea countries amid Russia “militarisation” of the region. This came ahead of a NATO Ministers summit. Important points: The Black Sea is located between Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It is surrounded by the Pontic, Caucasus, and Crimean Mountains in the south, east and north respectively. The …

Recently, the 2021 Production Gap Report was released by the leading research institutes and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) The Production Gap Report, first launched in 2019, tracks the discrepancy between governments’ planned fossil fuel production and global production levels consistent with limiting warming to 1.5°C or 2°C. Important points: The production gap to achieve …

Ahead of UDAN Day (21st October), the Ministry of Civil Aviation flagged off 6 routes, expanding the aerial connectivity of North-East India, under the UDAN Scheme The Government of India has acknowledged the contribution of the scheme and has identified 21st October as UDAN Day, the day on which the scheme document was first released. Important …

As the global recovery gains strength, the price of crude oil is nearing its highest level since 2018. Brent crude oil prices rose to USD 85.89 a barrel, the highest price since October 2018. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude prices climbed to USD 83.40 a barrel, highest since October 2014. On the other …

Recently, the Assam Government has announced that Bhaskarabda, a Luni-Solar Calendar will be used as an official calendar. Presently, the official calendar of Assam government makes use of the Saka calendar and the Gregorian calendar. However, the Bhaskarabda calendar will also be used from now onwards. Important points: Bhaskarabda, an era counted from the date …

According to a recent study, if carbon emissions continue at current levels, summer ice in the arctic will disappear by 2100 and, along with it, creatures such as seals and polar bears. The Arctic sea ice reached its minimum extent, coming in at 4.72 million square miles. It is the 12th lowest on record and the record minimum …

Recently, a report from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) stated that Africa’s rare glaciers will disappear in the next two decades due to climate change. Their current retreat rates are higher than the global average. If this continues, it will lead to total de-glaciation by the 2040s. WMO is one of the specialized agencies …

The Kushinagar Airport in Uttar Pradesh is the latest entrant in India’s list of international Airports. The airport is expected to provide seamless connectivity to people from South east and East Asian countries for Buddhist Pilgrimage Tourism. Kushinagar is the centre of the Buddhist circuit, which consists of pilgrimage sites at Lumbini, Sarnath, Gaya and …

India is ranked at 71st position in the Global Food Security (GFS) Index 2021 of 113 countries. Earlier, India was ranked 101st position in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2021. Important points: The GFS Index was designed and constructed by London-based Economist Impact and is sponsored by CortevaAgriscience. The 2021 GFSI is the tenth edition of the index. It is published every year. …

Recently, NITI Aayog launched a comprehensive Geographic Information System (GIS)-based Geospatial Energy Map of India. Earlier in July 2021, the Association of Geospatial Industries released a report titled “Potential of Geospatial Technologies for the Water Sector in India’ Important points: It is developed by the NITI Aayog in collaboration with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)with the support …

Vidyut Mohan, a Delhi-based entrepreneur, won the inaugural edition of The Earthshot Prize He won it for his innovative technology that recycles agricultural wasteto create fuel. Important points: It is an award set up by Prince William and the Royal Foundation, the charity founded by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and historian David Attenborough. Earlier, …

World Food Day is celebrated every year on October 16th to commemorate the date of the founding of the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organisation in 1945. FAO is a specialised agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. In 2021, the UN Secretary-General also convened the very first Food SystemsSummit to discuss ways to transform the production and consumption of …

The COP 26 United Nations Climate Change Conference will be hosted by the UK from 31st october to 12th November. Earlier, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published its assessment report on Earth’s climate, highlighting heat waves, droughts, extreme rainfall and sea-level rise in the coming decades. Important points: COP 26 Goals: According to the United Nations Climate Change Framework Convention (UNFCCC), COP26 will work towards four goals …

International E-Waste Day has been observed on 14th October since 2018. The aim of the day is to raise awareness about the millions of tonnes of e-waste generated worldwide each year, which has a negative impact on the environment and natural resources. Earlier this year, the Principal Bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) issued directions for the implementation of E-Waste (Management) …

Recently, the Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force) of the Indian Army has been awarded a Gold medal in the Cambrian Patrol Exercise, which was held in Wales (the UK). Important points: It is an annual international military patrolling exercise and is referred to as the ‘Olympics of Military Patrolling’ among militaries in the world. It was first …

The 8th Edition of joint military exercise between the Indian Army and the Sri Lankan Army, Exercise MITRA SHAKTI was conducted in Sri Lanka. The 7th edition of the Mitra Shakti exercise was held in Pune, Maharashtra in 2019. Important points: It is based on counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations in semi urban terrain. It is the largest bilateral exercise being …

Recently, the 17th Indo-US Joint Military Exercise “Ex Yudh Abhyas 2021” was held at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska (US). In February 2021, the previous version of the exercise was held in Bikaner’s Mahajan Field Firing Ranges (Rajasthan). Important points: It is the largest running joint military training and defence cooperation endeavor between India and the US. The exercise …

Recently, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has invited India, the world’s third-largest energy consumer, to become its full-time member. Important points: India became an Associate member of IEA in March 2017 but it was in engagement with IEA long before its association with the organization. Earlier in 2021, India also inked a Strategic Partnership Agreement with …