Recently, China launched an unmanned module of its permanent space station that it plans to complete by the end of 2022. The module, named “Tianhe”, or “Harmony of the Heavens”, was launched on the Long March 5B, China’s largest carrier rocket. India has also set its eye on building its …

Recently, the Supreme Court has asked the government to clarify in its affidavit the basis and rationale for pricing of Covid-19 Vaccines. The court noted that “different manufacturers are quoting different prices”. There are powers under the Drugs Control Act and Patents Act, and this is the time to invoke …

Recently, the United Nations and other agencies have launched the Immunisation Agenda 2030 (IA2030) during the World Immunisation Week. It will contribute to achieving the UN-mandated Sustainable Development Goals specifically SDG 3 i.e. Good Health and Well being. Covid-19 pandemic has affected routine immunization globally. Important points: It sets an …

According to the United Nations’ Global Forest Goals Report 2021, Covid-19 pandemic has aggravated the challenges faced by countries in managing their forests. The Report has been prepared by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nation. It provides an initial overview of progress of Goals and …

Agriculture Infrastructure Fund has crossed the eight thousand crore mark. The investment will give a boost to several agricultural projects which will unlock value for farmers across the country. Important points: It is a central sector scheme To provide medium – long term debt financing facility for investment in viable …

The European Parliament has ratified the post-Brexit trade deal between the European Union and the United Kingdom (UK). The EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) is a free trade agreement signed in December 2020, between the EU, the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) and the United Kingdom (UK). The deal …

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in its report on Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs) said that the growth of the ARC industry has not been consistent over time and not always been synchronous with the trends in Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) of banks and Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs). However, the RBI …

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global problem to which the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic may further contribute. With resources deployed away from antimicrobial stewardship, evidence of substantial preemptive antibiotic use in Covid-19 patients and indirectly, with deteriorating economic conditions fuelling poverty potentially impacting on levels of resistance, AMR threat remains …

Recently, a powerful earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter Scale jolted Assam and other parts of Northeast. According to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS) report, the tremors have been attributed to Kopili Fault zone closer to Himalayan Frontal Thrust (HFT). NCS is the nodal agency of the Government of …

The Government of National Capital Territory (GNCT) of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2021, which gives primacy to the Lieutenant Governor (L-G) over the elected government in the city, has come into force. Important points: Provisions of the GNCT of Delhi (Amendment) Act 2021: It amended the Sections 21, 24, 33 and …