Recently, the Prime Minister has set up a 53-member committee to mark the 150th birth anniversary of spiritual leader Sri Aurobindo on 15th August 2022. Important points: Aurobindo Ghose was born in Calcutta on 15th August 1872. He was a yogi, seer, philosopher, poet, and Indian nationalist who propounded a …

Recently, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment informed the Lok Sabha that 22 people had died while Manual Scavenging in 2021 so far. According to the National Convener of the Safai Karmachari Andolan, 472 manual scavenging deaths across the country were recorded between 2016 and 2020. Safai Karmachari Andolan …

Recently, the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has released Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for drone application in Agriculture. The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) commonly known as drones have great potential to revolutionize Indian agriculture and ensure the country’s food security. The drones were used for the first …

A recent study has provided evidence of the effect of environmental conditions on the longevity of relationships — among a population of albatrosses According to the researchers, climate change and warming waters are pushing black-browed albatross break-up rates higher. Important points: They are a member of the albatross family Diomedeidae, …

Recently, a flight demonstration of the Controlled Aerial Delivery System of 500 kg capacity (CADS-500) was conducted by Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE). The flight demonstration is part of a series of activities organised towards celebrating ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, commemorating 75 years of Independence. Important points: The …

Recently, as many as 43 fishermen from Tamil Nadu were arrested and six boats seized by Sri Lankan Naval personnel. A total of 284 Indian fishermen were arrested by Sri Lanka in 2019 (210) and 2020 (74). Earlier in 2020, the Fourth Meeting of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Working Group …

The Union Government is set to launch a nationwide ‘Good Governance Week’ from 20th December to 26th December, with the motto to redress and dispose of public grievances and improvise service delivery down to the village level Various events will be convened during the week under the campaign titled “Prashasan …

Recently, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has banned the derivative trade of seven agricultural commodities on the future’s platform of National Commodities and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) for a year. The regulator has banned derivative contracts trade in chana, wheat, paddy (non-basmati), soyabean and its derivatives, mustard seed …

Recently, the Prime Minister of India has been conferred by Bhutan’s highest civilian award, ‘Order of the Druk Gyalpo’ also known as “Ngadag Pel gi Khorlo”. Important points: The announcement of the award coincided with the occasion of the 114th National Day of Bhutan. This is the highest decoration of …

Recently, an Indian Desert Cat has been spotted for the first time in Madhya Pradesh’s Panna Tiger Reserve (PTR). The Indian Desert Cat is also known as the Asiatic Wildcat or the Asian Steppe Wildcat. Important points: It is usually a creature of the Thar desert in Rajasthan, and inhabits …

Recently, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully test-fired the new generation nuclear-capable ballistic missile ‘Agni Prime’. This is the second test of the missile, the first test took place in June 2021. The Agni-P missile aims to further strengthen India’s credible deterrence capabilities. Important points: Agni-P is a …

Recently, the 3rd meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue was held in New Delhi. It is a ministerial-level dialogue between India and the Central Asian countries namely Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. India virtually hosted the second meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue in 2020. Important points: Emphasis on …

Recently, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) carried out excavations at two prominent sites of Chalcolithic affiliations in Central India (Eran, district Sagar and at Tewar, district Jabalpur) in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Important points: The end of the Neolithic period saw the use of metals. Several cultures were based …

Recently, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has issued a discussion paper on regulating Algorithmic or Algo Trading, or trades generated out of automatic execution and logic. Algo Trading Almost everything in the digital world is based on algorithms. Algorithms leverage user data, behaviour and usage patterns, and …

Recently, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has approved a comprehensive Program for the Development of Semiconductors and Display Manufacturing Ecosystems in the country. The government proposes to provide incentives worth Rs 76,000 crore for the development of semiconductors and display manufacturing ecosystems over the next six years. …

Recently, the Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2021 was tabled in the Parliament. The amendments seek to decriminalise certain provisions and bring more foreign investments in the chain of biological resources, including research, patent and commercial utilisation, without compromising the national interest. However, opposition parties have cited concerns over the bill …

Recently, the second edition of water innovation challenges was announced to address the global water woes through innovations. Important points: It was announced by the Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog and the Royal Embassy of Denmark to India as part of the Indo-Danish Bilateral Green Strategic partnership in 2020. An …

Recently, the Centre has given in-principle (first step) approval for setting up of six nuclear power reactors at Jaitapur in Maharashtra. The Jaitpur Project is a key component of the strategic partnership between India and France. Nuclear Power Nuclear power is clean and environment friendly, apart from having a “huge …

Recently, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved the extension of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojna (PMKSY) till 2026, with an outlay of Rs 93,068 crore. The government also approved the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP), Har Khet ko Pani (HKKP), and watershed development components of the PMKSY …

Recently, the government has decided to have a relook at some key aspects of Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill 2021 – which aims to Privatise Two Public Sector Banks (PSBs) – during the Winter session of Parliament. In the last session, the government passed a bill that will allow the privatisation …