GS-3  1.SULFUR DIOXIDE EMISSION NORMS DELAYED The Ministry of Power has proposed pushing back the deadlines for adoption of new emission norms by coal-fired power plants, stating “an unworkable time schedule” would burden utilities and lead to an increase in power tariffs. India initially had set a 2017 deadline for thermal power plants to comply with emissions standards …

Context: The National Capital Region of Delhi experienced 4 small earthquakes during April – August 2020 According to the National Centre for Seismology of the Ministry of Earth Sciences: The National Capital Region of Delhi experienced 4 small earthquakes during April – August 2020, with the first event of magnitude …

GS-3 5.FREIGHT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PORTAL: RAILWAYS The Ministry of Railwayshas launched an exclusive portal to promote and develop the railways’ freight business – Freight Business Development Portal. With passenger train services suspended due to the coronavirus crisis, the railways is banking heavily on freight revenues for its earnings. The Dedicated …

Context: Preliminary survey shows deposits of Lithium in Mandya district of Karnataka. The Government today said that preliminary surveys on surface and limited subsurface by Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), a constituent unit of Department of Atomic Energy have shown Presence of Lithium resources of 1,600 tonnes …

GS-1 4.YAKSHAGANA Recently a Yakshagana artiste died while performing on stage. KEY POINTS Yakshagana is a traditional theatre form of Karnataka. It is a temple art form that depicts mythological stories and Puranas. It is performed with massive headgears, elaborate facial make-up and vibrant costumes and ornaments. Usually recited in …

GS-3 3.ASIAN WATERBIRD CENSUS The two-day Asian Waterbird Census-2020 has commenced in Andhra Pradesh under the aegis of experts from the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS). IMPORTANT POINTS: Every January, thousands of volunteers across Asia and Australasia visit wetlands in their country and count waterbirds. This citizen scienceprogrammeis the Asian …

GS-2 2.SOLIDARITY AND STABILITY DEAL Recently, Gulf states signed a ‘solidarity and stability’ deal at the 41 Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit held in Al Ula, Saudi Arabia. SANCTION S ON QATAR: In June 2017, Saudi Arabia and its allies, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Egypt severed ties …

GS-2 1.JUDICIAL REVIEW Recently, the Supreme Court (SC) refused to treat the Central Vista project as a unique one requiring greater or heightened judicial review. JUDICIAL REVIEW: It is a type of court proceeding in which a judge reviews the lawfulness of a decision or action made by a public …

Context: India today launched the 40thscientific expedition to Antarctica. This Indian expedition marks four decades of country’s scientific endeavour to the southern white continent. The 40th expedition journey will be flagged off from Goa on January 5, 2021, with 43 members onboard. The chartered ice-class vessel MV Vasiliy Golovnin will …

GS-3 4.SAGARMALA SEAPLANE SERVICES The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is starting the ambitious Project of Sagarmala Seaplane Services (SSPS) with potential airline operators. A seaplane is a fixed-wing aeroplanedesigned for taking off and landing on water. MECHANISM: The project is being initiated under a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) …

GS-3 3.NATIONAL METROLOGY CONCLAVE 2021 Recently, the Prime Minister has inaugurated the National Metrology Conclave 2021and also laid the foundation stone of National Environmental Standards Laboratory through a video conference. BACKGROUND: The Conclave was organised by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research- National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL), New Delhi, on its …

GS-2 2.IRAN STEPS UP URANIUM ENRICHMENT Recently, Iran has resumed enriching uranium up to 20% in violation of the 2015 nuclear deal and also seized a South Korean-flagged tanker near the crucial Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, the USA has decided to keep nuclear powered aircraft carrier Nimitz in the Gulf …

GS-3 1.STATE OF THE CLIMATE REPORT 2020 According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD)’s State of the Climate Report, the year 2020 was the eighth warmest since India started keeping records in 1901. The State of the Climate Report looks at temperature and rainfall trends annually. AVERAGE TEMPERATURE: During the …

GS-3 1. KOCHI – MANGALURU NATURAL GAS PIPELINE PM to dedicate Kochi – Mangaluru Natural Gas Pipeline to the nation. KOCHI – MANGALURU NATURAL GAS PIPELINE It is a 450 km long pipeline built by GAIL (India) Ltd. It has a transportation capacity of 12 Million Metric Standard Cubic Metres …

GS-2 2. INDIGENOUSLY DEVELOPED DNA VACCINE CANDIDATE DBT-BIRAC supported indigenously developed DNA Vaccine Candidate by ZydusCadila, approved for Phase III clinical trials. IMPORTANT POINTS: India’s first indigenously developed DNA vaccine candidate against COVID-19, ZyCoV-D, by ZydusCadila has been approved by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), for the conduct …

GS-2 5.INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF SECURITIES COMMISSIONS (IOSCO): The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) has become an Associate Member of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO). IFSC IN INDIA: The first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) in the country has been set up at the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City …

GS-2 4.CHINA AMENDS DEFENCE LAW TO BOOST WAR PREPAREDNESS: China’s National Defence Law has been amended. KEY CHANGES: Gives the Central Military Commission (CMC) greater power in mobilising resources to protect a new and broader definition of what constitutes the national interest. Experts say the phrase “development interests” included the …

Earth System Science deals with the Earth system’s five components—Atmosphere, Hydrosphere, Cryosphere, Lithosphere, and Biosphere, and their complex interactions. • The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) holistically addresses all the aspects relating the Earth System Science for providing weather, climate, ocean, coastal state, hydrological and seismological services. • The services …

GS-3 3.FSSAI SLASHES LIMIT FOR TRANSFAT LEVELS IN FOODS: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has capped the amount of trans fatty acids (TFA) in oils and fats to 3% for 2021 and 2% by 2022 from the current permissible limit of 5% through an amendment to …