Recently, a report named G20 Climate Risk Atlas from the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change (CMCC) has said that G20 (Group of 20) countries including the wealthiest like the US, European countries, and Australia will bear extreme impacts of climate change over the coming years. The first study of its kind, it provides climate scenarios, information, data and future …

Recently, government officials have revealed that India and the European Union (EU)are set to resume negotiations for a Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA). The BTIA talks have been suspended since 2013. However, at India-EU Leaders’ Meeting earlier this year, both countries agreed to relaunch free trade negotiations for the BTIA and also adopted a …

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 …

Recently, The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight-tested Abhyas High-speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, off the Bay of Bengal coast in Odisha. DRDO is the Research & Development wing of the Ministry of Defence, Govt of India, with a vision to empower India with cutting-edge defence …

Recently, the International Financial Services Centre Authority (IFSCA) announced a new liberal regulatory regime for facilitating formation of various international and Indian insurance businesses in the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City). The regulations for setting up International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) Insurance Offices (IIOs) and IFSC Insurance Intermediaries Offices (IIIOs) were notified by the IFSCA earlier, in …

Recently, the Prime Minister launched the Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission. Important points: It is one of the largest pan-India schemes for strengthening healthcare infrastructure across the country. It is in addition to the National Health Mission It will provide support to 17,788 rural Health and Wellness Centres in 10 ‘high focus’ states and establish 11,024 urban Health …

Recently, Saudi Arabia, one of the world’s largest oil producers, announced that it will reach “net zero” greenhouse gas emissions by 2060. The announcement came at the start of the kingdom’s first-ever Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) Forum. SGI aims to raise the vegetation cover, reduce carbon emissions, combat pollution and land degradation, and preserve marine life. Important points: …

Recently, India and the UK started Konkan Shakti 2021, the first-ever tri-services joint exercise. It started off the west coast of India. Earlier, the Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force) of the Indian Army was awarded a Gold medal in the Cambrian Patrol Exercise, which was held in Wales (the UK). Important points: To derive mutual benefits from each other’s …

Recently, the exports of tea from India registered a decline of around 14.4% in the first seven months (January-July) of 2021 as compared to the same period in 2020. Important points: Total exports during January to July of 2021 was 100.78 million kilograms as against 117.56 million kilograms in the same period …

Recently, an international team saw a white dwarf losing its brightness in 30 minutes, which usually takes a period of several days to months. This peculiarity in brightness of white dwarfs can be referred to as switch on and off phenomena. Using the Hubble Space telescope and Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS)astronomers have identified several …

Recently, the fourth general assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) was held. A total of 108 countries participated in the assembly, including 74 member countries, 34 observer and prospective countries, 23 partner organisations and 33 special invitee organisations. Important points: The ISA is an intergovernmental treaty-based organisation with a global mandate to catalyse …