Experts say India has lost a decade in modernising its submarine fleet, while China has marched ahead in its larger naval and more specific submarine capabilities. Submarines first became a major factor in naval warfare during World War I (1914–18), also played a similar role on a larger scale in …

Recently, the President of India presented the Padma awards to 119 recipients for the year 2020 at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The list comprises 7 Padma Vibhushans, 10 Padma Bhushans and 102 Padma Shri awards. Important points: The Padma Awards are announced annually on Republic Day (26th January). It was instituted in …

Recently, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has released the Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) Report (Index) 2021. Important points: The LEADS report is aimed at gauging the logistics performance of states and Union Territories (UT) and identifying areas where they can improve logistics performance. It was launched in …

Recently, India has launched a direct flight between Srinagar and Sharjah (UAE) operated by budget airline GoFirst (formerly known as GoAir). The flight was to operate through Pakistani airspace. However, the flight was denied permission to enter Pakistan and the flight had to take a longer route to reach the …

In the coming days, India will be hosting the ‘Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan’. The meeting will be held at the level of National Security Advisors (NSAs) and will be chaired by India’s NSA Ajit Doval. Important points: India’s top security establishment, the National Security Council Secretariat, has taken …

Recently, the inaugural Global Drug Policy Index was released by the Harm Reduction Consortium. It is a data-driven global analysis of drug policies and their implementation which comes at a time when the Indian government is reviewing the provisions of the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic substances act 1985. The Harm …

Arunachal Pradesh is planning to make a documentary on Kaho, a village on the China border to mark the 75th year of Independence. Important points: Kaho is the first village from the China border in Anjaw district. Anjaw is one of the 11 districts of Arunachal Pradesh that share their …

A study was conducted in Punjab that showed pollution from stubble burning significantly reduced lung function and was particularly harmful to women in rural Punjab. The study was conducted in two phases: The first was in October 2018 and again the following summer from March to April 2019. Important points: …

Recently, at the India-France strategic dialogue, both countries resolved to expand the defence and security partnership by enhancing intelligence sharing, bolstering capabilities, expanding military drills and pursuing new initiatives in maritime, space and cyber domains. Important points: Support to ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’: France reiterated its commitment to India’s vision of “Atmanirbhar …

Recently, a paper published in the international journal Nature Geoscience has come up with a new reason behind the first mass extinction, also known as the Late Ordovician mass extinction. It notes that the cooling climate likely changed the ocean circulation pattern. This caused a disruption in the flow of …

Recently, the Prime Minister has unveiled a 12-foot statue of Adi Shankaracharya at Kedarnath (Uttarakhand). Important points: Known as Adi Shankara, born 11th May 788 AD, at Kaladi near Kochi, Kerala. Took Samadhi at the age of 33, at Kedar tirth. He was a devotee of Shiva. Propounded the Doctrine …

Recently, forest officials from Odisha found 40 Indian flapshell turtles in baskets in an alleged smuggling racket. Important points: The Indian flapshell turtle is a freshwater species of turtle and is found in many states. The “flap-shelled” name stems from the presence of femoral flaps located on the plastron. These …

Recently, the landslides caused by an earthquake of 3.4 magnitude close to the border with China has led to mass fish death in the Kameng river in Arunachal Pradesh. The region has been placed into Seismic Zone V, thus most vulnerable to earthquakes. Important points: The earthquake happened in the …

A Reserve Bank of India (RBI) committee has come out with a host of suggestions in a bid to streamline the functioning of Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs). Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs) It is a specialized financial institution that buys the Non Performing Assets (NPAs) from banks and financial institutions so …

Recently, on the sidelines of the COP26 summit in Glasgow, the Prime Minister of Palestine called for India’s support to play a stabilising role in West Asia by maintaining cooperation with all related parties. This statement is significant in the context of India’s External Affairs Minister visit to Israel, whereby …

Recently, the Ministry of Education launched various initiatives under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB) to commemorate Rashtriya Ekta Diwas. The Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat was announced by the Prime Minister in 2015 on the occasion of the 140th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The Rashtriya Ekta Diwas is celebrated …

Recently, the 5th edition of Ganga Utsav-The River Festival 2021 has begun which celebrates the glory of the National river Ganga. Ganga was declared as the National River of India on 4th November 2008. The event will also comprise, launch of the Ganga Tarang Portal, curtain raiser on Ganga Knowledge …

Recently, at a bilateral meet, India and Italy released the Joint Statement on Italy-India Strategic Partnership in Energy Transition. The two nations acknowledged significant progress in bilateral relations since the adoption of the Action Plan for an enhanced Partnership between India and Italy (2020 –2024) in November 2020. Important points: …

In the recently concluded G20 summit, the leaders made a commitment to reach carbon neutrality by or around mid-century. They have adopted the Rome Declaration (the current presidency of G20 countries is being held by Italy). Earlier, the G20 Climate Risk Atlas was released which provides climate scenarios, information, data …

Recently, India announced that it will reach carbon neutrality by 2070 as part of a five-point action plan that included reducing emissions to 50% by 2030. India made this pledge at the Conference of the Parties (COP) 26 climate summit in Glasgow, where it also urged developed countries to deliver …