The government has pushed back deadlines for coal-fired power plants to adopt new emission norms by up to three years, and allowed utilities that miss the new target to continue operating after paying a penalty, according to a notice. Important points: India had initially set a 2017 deadline for thermal …

The U.S. and Iran said that they would begin negotiations through intermediaries next week to try to get both countries back into an accord limiting Iran’s nuclear programme, nearly three years after President Donald Trump pulled the U.S. out of the deal. Important points: The announcement marked the first major …

The failure of the health system to cope with COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an increase in maternal deaths and stillbirths, according to a study published in The Lancet Global Health journal. Important points: Overall, there was a 28% increase in the odds of stillbirth, and the risk of mothers dying …

Multinational Military Exercise SHANTIR OGROSHENA 2021 (Front Runner of the Peace) will be held at Bangladesh to commemorate the birth centenary of Bangladesh ‘Father of the Nation’ Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and mark glorious 50 years of liberation. Indian Army contingent comprising of 30 personnel including Officers, JCOs and Jawans of a Battalion from …

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) lab Defence Materials and Stores Research and Development Establishment (DMSRDE), Kanpur has developed light weight Bullet Proof Jacket (BPJ) weighing 9.0 kilogrammes, meeting the qualitative requirements of Indian Army. The Front Hard Armour Panel (FHAP) jacket was tested at Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), …

Union Education Minister launches “MyNEP2020” platform of NCTE Portal. The platform seeks to invite suggestions/inputs/membership from the stakeholders for preparing draft for the development of National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST) and National Mission for Mentoring Program membership (NMM). The NCTE in its previous form was established in 1973 as …

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) operationalised and dedicated to the Services 3rd Joint Logistics Node (JLN) in Mumbai. The third JLN was operationalised as part of measures to boost tri-service integration and resource optimisation. The JLN would enhance joint interoperability between the Services and go a long way in improving the …

Indian Army to participate in Exercise SHANTIR OGROSHENA, a multinational military exercise in Bangladesh. Multinational Military Exercise SHANTIR OGROSHENA 2021 (Front Runner of the Peace) will be held at Bangladesh to commemorate the birth centenary of Bangladesh ‘Father of the Nation’ Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The DOGRA Regiment will participate …

The PM greeted the people of Odisha on Utkala Dibasa. Utkala Dibasa or Odisha Day is observed on 1 April every year to mark the formation of the state as a separate state out of Bihar and Orissa Province in 1936. At that time, Koraput and Ganjam were also added …

The Centre plans to issue a 14-digit identification number to every plot of land in the country within a year’s time. The Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) scheme has been launched in 10 States in the year 2021 and will be rolled out across the country by March 2022. Important points: Being described …