The 2021 Nobel Prize in Physics is awarded with one half jointly to SyukuroManabe, Klaus Hasselmann and the other half to Giorgio Parisi “for groundbreaking contributions to our understanding of complex physical systems.” This is the first time climate scientists (Manabe and Hasselmann) have been awarded the Physics Nobel. Last year, the award was given for …

Recently, the Ministry of Jal Shakti has launched a Heli-Borne Survey Technology for water management in the arid areas of Rajasthan. Important points: Developed by Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)-National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), it will provide information about level, quantity, quality and information of ground water. The NGRI is a geoscientific research organization established in 1961 under …

A series of recent scams have exposed the vulnerabilities of the Aadhaar-enabled Payment System (AePS). Important points: AePS is a bank led model which allows online interoperable financial transactions at PoS (Point of Sale/Micro ATM) through the Business Correspondent (BC)/Bank Mitra of any bank using the Aadhaar authentication. This system adds another layer of …

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has simplified the process for Indians who want to renounce their citizenship. Earlier, the Central Government issued a notificationgranting powers related to citizenship applications under existing rules to authorities of five states. Important points: Provisions have been made for applicants to upload documents online, with an upper limit of …

Recently, the Calcutta High Court has given West Bengal Assembly Speaker a deadline to pass an order in the defection case involving a Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA). Anti-defection proceedings are also going on in other states such as Jharkhand and Rajasthan. Important points: The anti-defection law punishes individual Members of Parliament (MPs)/MLAs for leaving one …

Recently, a man was hit by a peafowl in Kerala after which he died. This incident has turned the spotlight on the increasing population of Indian peafowls in the state. Important points: The collective name for peacocks is peafowl. The male of the variety is called a peacock and the female peafowl is called a peahen. The Indian peacock is also …

Recently, two United States-based scientists, David Julius and ArdemPatapoutian, have been awarded the 2021 Nobel Prize for Physiology/Medicine for their discoveries of receptors for temperature and touch. They have focused their work on the field of somatosensation, that is the ability of specialised organs such as eyes, ears and skin to see, hear and feel. Important points: David …

Recently, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has launched a Drone-Based vaccine delivery model named, Drone Response and Outreach in North East (i-Drone). Drone is a layman terminology for Unmanned Aircraft (UA). There are three subsets of Unmanned Aircraft- Remotely Piloted Aircraft, Autonomous Aircraft and Model Aircraft. Important points: Indian Council …

Recently, Amazon has unveiled its ‘Astro’ home robot, which is designed to help customers with a range of tasks like home monitoring and keeping in touch with family. However, civil society has highlighted the concerns of privacy issues of 24×7 surveillance. Important points: Astro is primed to be a home security device. It is designed to move around the home and …

India has extended its support for protecting the Antarctic environment and for co-sponsoring the proposal of the European Union for designating East Antarctica and the Weddell Sea as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). The Southern Ocean, also called Antarctic Ocean, is a body of salt water covering approximately one-sixteenth of Earth’s total ocean area. Important points: In …

Recently, several prominent Indian names have been included in the Pandora Papers leak. There are over 300 Indian names in the leak, including over 60 prominent ones. Important points: Pandora Papers are 11.9 million leaked files from 14 global corporate services firms which set up about 29,000 off-the-shelf companies and private trusts. A trust can be described …

Recently, Hara Bhara, India’s first aerial seeding campaign in Telangana using the Seedcopter drone was launched. Earlier, in August 2015, Andhra Pradesh government had launched the aerial seeding programme using Indian Navy helicopters. Important points: The idea of the campaign is to accelerate the mission of reforestation by planting one billion trees using drones by 2030 in the country. The project uses drones to disperse seed …

Recently, the Prime Minister launched the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) mobile application on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti (2nd October). The PM also released the progress report of the JJM and a manual for the utilisation of the 15th Finance Commission grant for rural local bodies. Important points: The mobile application will provide …

2nd October, 2021 marked the 152nd birth annivaersary of Mahatma Gandhi. India also pays tribute to Lal Bahadur Shastri on the same day every year. Important points: Birth- 2nd October 1869 in Porbandar (Gujarat) Lawyer, politician, social activist, and writer who became the leader of the nationalist movement against the British rule of India. In South Africa …

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research -National Geophysical Research Institute (CSIR-NGRI) has launched an ‘Environmental Seismology’ group to develop a ‘Landslide and Flood Early Warning System’ for the Himalayan region. The scientists at the NGRI in collaboration with German scientists at GFZ, Potsdam have launched this system. Important points: It will be based on real-time monitoring with dense …

Recently, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has decided to freeze the election symbol of a Political Party. The Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968 empowers the Election Commission to recognise political parties and allot symbols. Important points: An electoral or election symbol is a standardized symbol allocated to a political party. They are used by …

Recently, NTPC Renewable Energy (NTPC-REL), a subsidiary of NTPC, has signed its first Green Term Loan agreement for installation of Solar Projects in Rajasthan & Gujarat. NTPC-REL is also constructing India’s largest single local solar power park of 4.75 GW in Kutch. NTPC is taking various steps to make its energy portfolio greener by adding significant …

In a first of its kind move, the government has come up with an online employment exchange platform to cater to senior citizens seeking job opportunities. The portal developed by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is named Senior Able Citizens for Re-Employment in Dignity (SACRED). The International Day of Older Persons is observed on …

Recently, the Union Labour Ministry and Microsoft India have jointly launched a digital skilled platform — DigiSaksham — to enhance youth employability. This joint initiative is an extension of the ongoing programs to support the youth from rural and semi-urban areas. Important points: Free of cost training in digital skills including basic skills as well …

Policy making in the country’s health sector is shaped by its federal structureand the Central-State divisions of responsibilities and financing. Important points: Public health and sanitation, hospitals and dispensaries are state subjects, which means the primary responsibility of their management and service delivery lies with the states. The Centre also invests in health …