Yearly Archives: 2021

PRADHAN MANTRI SAHAJ BIJLI HAR GHAR YOJANA

Recently, the Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (SAUBHAGYA Scheme) has successfully completed four years of its implementation. 82 crore households have been electrified since its launch till 31st March, 2021. Important points: It was launched in 2017 to ensure electrification of all households in the country in rural as well as urban areas. …

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LALDHANG-CHILLARKHAL ROAD

Recently, a Supreme Court-appointed committee has questioned relaxations given for the upgrade of a 4.7-km road (Laldhang-Chillarkhal road) in the buffer zone of Rajaji Tiger Reserve and sought replies from the Centre and Uttarakhand government. The relaxation for measurement of roads was approved by the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL). NBWL is the …

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ABATEMENT OF AIR POLLUTION

The State Governments of Punjab, National Capital Region (NCR) States and Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) have developed detailed monitorable action plans based on the framework by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to tackle the problem of air pollution. The newly constituted commission (CAQM) has sweeping powers in controlling air pollution in Delhi-NCR. Also, recently, …

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XENON1T

Recently, an international team of researchers made the first direct detection of dark energy. The experiment named XENON1T, is the world’s most sensitive dark matter experiment and was operated deep underground at the INFN Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso in Italy. Dark energy is the mysterious form of energy that makes up about 68% of the universe, and has …

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QUAD COUNTRIES

Recently, the first in-person meeting of Quad leaders was hosted by the US. Issues like climate change, Covid-19 pandemic and challenges in the Indo Pacific, amidst China’s growing military presence in the strategic region, were discussed in the meeting. Important points: In November 2017, India, Japan, the US and Australia gave shape to …

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CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF PROCUREMENT & SUPPLY AWARDS 2021

Government e Marketplace (GeM) was announced as the winner in the Best Use of Digital Technology category at the CIPS Excellence in Procurement Awards 2021 (CIPS Awards). GeM was shortlisted as a finalist in two additional categories as well, i.e., ‘Public Procurement Project of the Year’ and ‘Best Initiative to Build a Diverse Supply Base’. Important …

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GOAN CASHEW FENI

Recently, the Goa government’s Feni Policy 2021 has paved the way to take the GI (Geographical Indication) Certified Goan Cashew Feni forward at par with other international Liquors such as Mexico’s tequila, Japanese Sake and Russia’s Vodka. The Goa government in 2016 classified Feni as the Heritage Spirit of Goa. Important points: It is the …

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NSS AWARDS 2019-20

Recently, the President of India conferred the National Service Scheme (NSS) Awards for 2019-20. Important points: Under NSS Awards 2019-20, 42 awardees in different categories such as University or (+2) Councils, NSS Units and their programme officers and NSS volunteers were conferred with these awards. The NSS Awards were instituted by the Ministry …

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ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE OF BLUE FOODS

Recently, a report titled Environmental performance of blue foods has stated that the Aquatic or blue foods can be made more environmentally sustainable than they are now. The report is published as part of the Blue Food Assessment (BFA). The BFA is a collaboration between Sweden-based Stockholm Resilience Centre, United States-based Stanford University and the …

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WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION (WMO) REPORT ON CLIMATE INDICATORS & SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Recently, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has published a new report on Climate Indicators and Sustainable Development: Demonstrating the Interconnections. WMO studied seven climate indicators — carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration, temperature, ocean acidification and heat, sea ice extent, glacier melt and sea-level rise. Its release coincides with the United Nations General Assembly annual session and the opening in September 2021 …

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CENSUS 2021

Recently, the Union government has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court claiming that a caste census of the Backward Classes is administratively difficult and cumbersome. The government’s assertion came in response to a writ petition filed by the State of Maharashtra to gather Backward Classes’ caste data in the State while conducting Census …

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MAIN BATTLE TANKS

Recently, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) placed an order with Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF), Chennai for supply of 118 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) Arjun Mk-1A for the Indian Army. Important points: The state–of-the-art MBT Mk-1A is a new variant of Arjun Tank designed to enhance fire power, mobility and survivability. The Arjun Main Battle Tank …

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SUPACE

Recently, in a major reform, the Supreme Court has given the go-ahead to implement a system for electronic transmission of its orders. It will ensure effective implementation of Article 21 (right to life). Earlier, the Chief Justice of India (CJI) launched an Artificial Intelligence (AI) based portal ‘SUPACE’ in the judicial system aimed …

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CRYPTOCURRENCY

The US is discussing launching a formal review into whether Tether and other stablecoins threaten financial stability. The first stablecoin, created in 2014, was Tether. Important points: A stablecoin is a type of cryptocurrency that is typically pegged to an existing government-backed currency. A cryptocurrency is a form of digital asset based on a network that is distributed across …

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INDIAN AEROSPACE & DEFENCE SECTOR.

Recently, the Prime Minister visited the exhibition models of the Aligarh node of the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor. It was announced by the Prime Minister while inaugurating the UP Investors Summit in Lucknow in 2018. The government has established another Defence Industrial Corridor in Tamil Nadu. Important points: It is an aspirational project that intends to reduce foreign dependency of …

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INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

Recently, the union government has introduced Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2021 which has reduced the fee for patent filing and prosecution for educational institutions by 80%. It is aimed at promoting innovation and development of new technologies. Important points: A patent is a form of preservation of intellectual property. It is an exclusive right granted for an invention, which …

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SURYA KIRAN XV

Recently, the armies of India and Nepal have started the 15th edition of joint military exercise ‘Surya Kiran’ at Pithoragarh in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Important points: The biannual exercise, which takes place alternately in both countries. The main objective of this exercise is to: Establish military relations in inaccessible mountainous areas by the soldiers of both countries, …

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KESHARI VARIETY OF TURMERIC

Recently, a high-yielding curcuminoid-rich variety of turmeric named CIM-Pitamber and the NBRI’s (National Botanical Research Institute) Keshari variety have been introduced in Nabarangpur (One of the Aspirational Districts) of Odisha. Important points: It is a high-yielding curcuminoid-rich variety of turmeric developed by Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP) High yielding varieties (HYV) of seeds are those seeds which produce huge …

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FOUNDATION FOR ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION

Recently, Foundation for Environment Education (FEE), Denmark has awarded the Blue Flag Certification to Kovalam (Tamil Nadu) and Eden (Puducherry), taking the total number of such beaches in the country to 10. A waving “Blue Flag” is an indication of 100% compliance to the 33 stringent criteria and sound health of the beach. …

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GLOBAL AIR QUALITY GUIDELINES

Recently, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has released new Global Air Quality Guidelines (AQGs). Under these guidelines, WHO has further lowered the recommended levels of pollutants that can be considered safe for human health. This is the first-ever update of WHO since 2005. The goal of the guideline is for all countries to achieve recommended air quality …

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