Recently, India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) formally launched negotiations on the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) Looking to build on the progress made by both countries under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership signed in 2017, both countries expressed a desire to reach a mutually beneficial economic deal. Important points: It is a …

Recently, steep stairways and wooden ramps among other changes have been brought at the World Heritage Site of Qutub Minar that will make the place accessible for disabled and the elderly. Humayun’s Tomb (1993) and Red Fort Complex (2007) are other world heritage monuments in Delhi. Important points: It is a five-storeyed red sandstone tower (72.5 m high) built by …

Recently, the Cumbre Vieja volcano in La Palma, one of Spain’s Canary Islands, erupted. Important points: The Cumbre Vieja volcano erupted for the first time in 50 years. The last time hot molten lava erupted and spread was in 1971. La Palma is the most north-westerly island of the Canary Islands, Spain. It’s geography …

World Rhino Day is observed on 22th September to spread awareness for all five species of rhino and work being done to save them. Important points: It was first announced by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) – South Africa in 2010. The species of rhinoceros are on the verge of extinction due to persistent poaching and habitat loss over …

Recently, the researchers at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru (IISc) have found a way to make a substitute for single-use plastic (SUP) that can, in principle, help mitigate the problem of accumulating plastic waste in the environment. Important points: Possible In the research, Non-edible Castor oil was used in this process of making the polymer which involves …

Recently, the 45th Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council meeting was held. Important points: The Council decided to extend the GST relief on several drugs related to Covid-19 treatment till December 2021. Online food delivery aggregator firms such as Swiggy and Zomato will now be liable to pay GST and not the restaurant partners. Currently, online …

Recently, the Union Minister of State Science & Technology has proposed Integrated Aroma Dairy Entrepreneurship for Jammu & Kashmir to augment the income of farmers. The Aroma Mission, also popularly referred as “Lavender or Purple Revolution”, has started from J&K and transformed the lives of farmers who are able to grow lavender, make …

Recently, the Union Government has put restrictions on funding for 10 international Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO’s) working on Child Rights, Climate Change and environmental projects. In February 2021, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued new regulating guidelines to banks under Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010. Important points: The Reserve Bank of India had previously asked for several foreign organisations to …

Recently, the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare has released the 3rd State Food Safety Index (SFSI). Also, 19 Mobile Food Testing Vans (Food Safety on Wheels) have been flagged off to supplement the food safety ecosystem across the country. Important points: The index is developed by FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) to measure the …

Recently, India has climbed two spots and has been ranked 46th in the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2021 rankings. Important points: The GII is launched by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a specialized agency of the United Nations. The GII aims to capture the multi-dimensional facets of innovation ranking and rich analysis referencing around 132 economies. …

The third edition of maritime exercise ‘Samudra Shakti’ between India and Indonesia will be conducted from 20th-22nd September, 2021 in the Sunda Strait. Important points: In pursuance of India’s Act East Policy, Exercise ‘Samudra Shakti’ was conceived in 2018 as a bilateral IN-IDN exercise. The exercise aims to strengthen the bilateral relationship, enhance mutual understanding and interoperability …

Recently, the Trifed (Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India)inked an agreement with the Jharkhand-based Purty Agrotech for the promotion of pearl farming  in tribal areas. Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India It is a national-level apex organization functioning under the administrative control of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. It came into existence in 1987. It …

Recently, the NITI Aayog launched an initiative with BYJU’S (an edutech giant) to provide free access to tech-driven learning programmes to children from India’s 112 aspirational districts. Important points: Students of Classes 6-12 in government schools across 112 ‘Aspirational Districts (AD)’ will get free access to the company’s “premium learning resources”. ADs are the districts which are affected …

Recently, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways concluded the two-day review of the work progress on the eight-lane Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. It will be the world’s longest highway once completed. It is expected to be completed by March 2023. Important points: It is a 1380-km eight-lane expressway that can be expanded to a …

Recently, the Ministry of Power has issued an order for the setting up of District Level Committees to improve the quality of electricity supply in the country. Important points: All States and Union Territories will have to notify and ensure establishment of these District Electricity committees, under intimation to the Ministry of Power. It will oversee all power related …

Recently, the Ministry of Railways launched Rail Kaushal Vikas Yojana (RKVY) under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY). Important points: This is a skill development programme, where training will be provided to youth with a special focus on jobs that are relevant to the Railways. The training will be provided in four trades viz. Electrician, Welder, Machinist and …

The central banks of India and Singapore will link their respective fast digital payment systems – Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and PayNow – for “instant, low-cost, cross-border fund transfers”. The linkage is targeted to be operationalised by July 2022. Important points: The Unified Payments Interface (UPI)-PayNow linkage is a significant milestone in the development of infrastructure for …

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), in 2018, released the Draft Food Safety And Standards (Labelling And Display) Regulation. However, even after so many expert panel recommendations and regulations, India still does not have a clear labelling or Front-of-pack (FoP) Labelling System, which can warn consumers about harmful levels of fat, …

Recently, at the virtual ASEAN(Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summit on Future of India-ASEAN Connectivity Partnerships, the Indian government underlined the importance of cross-border connectivity between India and Southeast Asian nations. ASEAN brings together ten Southeast Asian states – Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam – into one organisation. …

Recently, two Indians (Vinisha and Vidyut) among 15 finalists were selected for the first ever Earthshot Prize 2021, which will be held in London. A 14-year-old Tamil Nadu schoolgirl’s solar-powered ironing cart and a Delhi entrepreneur’s agricultural waste recycling concept named among finalists. Important points: The prize was launched by Britain’s Prince William in …