Recently, the 32nd edition of India-Thailand Coordinated Patrol (Indo-Thai CORPAT) between the Indian Navy and the Royal Thai Navy was conducted. Important points: India and Thailand have been carrying out CORPAT along their International Maritime Boundary Line twice a year since 2005. Indian Naval Ship (INS) Karmuk, an indigenously built …

The sixth edition of the Indo-French Shakti 2021 (bilateral joint training exercise), will be conducted in November in Frejus, France. From the Indian side, a platoon strength of a Gorkha Rifles Infantry Battalion will participate in the exercise. Important points: It will focus on Counter Terrorism operations in backdrop of …

Forces from the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Israel and the United States Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) began a multilateral maritime security operations exercise in the Red Sea. This is the first publicly acknowledged naval exercise between the United States, Israel and the two Gulf countries. Important points: The UAE …

A new study has suggested that the earliest continental landmass emerged 3.2 billion year ago instead of 2.5 billion years ago (as per the continental drift theory). The study was conducted by researchers from India, Australia and the US. Continental Drift Theory Continental drift theory deals with the distribution of …

According to a recent report by British brokerage Barclays, India’s trade deficit has been jumping continuously since July 2021. The widening Current Account Deficit (CAD) is driven by the massive spike in commodity prices led by crude oil. The CAD is expected to reach $45 billion or 1.4% of GDP …

Recently, the Prime Minister has launched the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)- Retail Direct Scheme to open up the Government bond market for the retail investors. Important points: In February 2021, RBI proposed to allow retail investors to open gilt accounts with the central bank to invest in Government securities …

Recently, The Prime Minister has paid tributes to Acharya Kripalani on his Birth Anniversary (11th November). Important points: He was born on 11th November 1888 in Hyderabad, Sindh. His original name was Jivatram Bhagwandas Kripalani but was popularly known as Acharya Kripalani. He was an independence activist, Indian politician and …

Every year, 11th November is celebrated as National education day, which commemorates the birth anniversary of independent India’s first education minister, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. In 2008, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (Now Ministry of Education) decided to celebrate Azad’s birthday as National Education Day. Educational institutions across India …

NASA will launch its first planetary defense test mission named the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART). The DART spacecraft will be launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Important points: The mission is to test the new technology to be prepared in case an asteroid heads towards Earth in the …

Congress’ chief whip in the Rajya Sabha sought to move a privilege motion against the Union Culture Minister over the appointment of chairperson of the National Monuments Authority (NMA). The educational and professional background of the current chairperson of NMA does not meet the requirements of law passed by Parliament …

Recently, China handed over the first Type 054A/P frigate (warship) to Pakistan. It is named the PNS Tughril. The PNS Tughril is the first hull of four Type 054 frigates being constructed for the Pakistan Navy. Important points: The ship is a technologically advanced and highly capable platform with enormous …

Infestation of desert locusts, which has plagued a vast swathe from eastern Africa to India in recent years, has been closely linked to climate change. In this context, the Global Landscapes Forum Climate Hybrid Conference has proposed that plans to mitigate climate change must include action against pests and diseases. …

Recently, the Ministry of Mines has notified the Mineral Conservation and Development (Amendment) Rules, 2021 to amend the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules (MCDR), 2017. The MCDR has been framed under section 18 of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957[MMDR Act]. They provide rules regarding conservation of …

Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) has spoken of the need to balance national security concerns with environmental issues in the context of the Army’s request to expand the CharDham Project (CDP) roads leading to the Indo-China border. The request came in the context of construction being carried out by China …

The Union Cabinet has approved the restoration of the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) for the remaining part of Financial Year 2021-22 till 2025-26. It will be co-terminus with the period of the 15th Finance Commission The scheme was suspended for two financial years (2020-21 and 2021-22). …

Recently, the Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan was held. The meeting was composed of National Security Advisors’ (NSA) of regional countries and chaired by the Indian NSA. The meeting called for “urgent humanitarian assistance” to the Afghan people and urged close cooperation and consultation among the regional countries over …

Recently, the fourth Scorpene Submarine ‘INS Vela’ of Project P-75 has been delivered to the Indian Navy Important points: The submarines in the Project-75 Scorpene Class are powered by diesel-electric propulsion systems. Scorpene is one of the most sophisticated submarines, capable of undertaking multifarious missions including anti-surface ship warfare, anti-submarine …

Recently, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designated Srinagar as a part of UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) After Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Varanasi and Jaipur, Srinagar is the sixth Indian city to achieve this distinction. Important points: The Srinagar city has been designated the creative city in …

The National Legal Services Day (NLSD) is celebrated on 9th November every year to spread awareness for ensuring reasonable fair and justice procedure for all citizens. Important points: NLSD was first started by the Supreme Court of India in 1995 to provide help and support to poor and weaker sections …

Recently, a global coalition of ten organisations launched the Global Resilience Index Initiative (GRII). Important points: It was launched during the Conference of Parties (CoP) 26 adaptation day (8th November 2021), it will be the world’s first curated, open-source reference index. It has been launched to build a universal model …